LA+Yoga+-+April+2014

FIND YOUR Guru
ULTIMATE Jagat
Spring KUNDALINI
Cleanse! DRIVING

GLUTEN OR
GLUTEN-FREE
THAT IS THE
QUESTION

IS IT TIME TO 3
LET go?
WAYS TO
Fashion CHANGE

for festival season YOUR
MIND

PLUS MEDITATION, ASTROLOGY,
yogi FOOD AND MORE!





AY U R V E D A A N D H E A LT H

38 48 APRIL 2014

Ralphi wears: f e at u r e s
Black Belt Headband by Violet Love by Rebecca Michaels.
Jewelry by Love Pray Jewelry. 30
Organic Performance Briefs by Yogiiza.
Organic Men’s Yoga Pants in White by Yogiiza. Har n ess E n e rgy E f f ici e n tly
Yoga Mat made from Recycled Car Tires by Kharma Khare. The teachings of Ayurveda and Yoga
Therapy reveal how to live in harmony with
MY Community YOGI FOOD daily cycles.
10 Events Calendar 48 Why Go Gluten-Free?
12 Open Doors 34
16 News ROCKSTAR FITNESS
18 Destination LA 52 Diane Warren SPRING CLEANSE
20 Festival Round Up Curious about different cleanse options?
ON MY NIGHTSTAND
TEacher profile 54 Krishna Das 34 Nikki Hardin offers a user-friendly guide
22 Guru Jagat from juicing to herbs.
IN EVERY ISSUE
AYURVE DA 56 Meditation 38
28 Let Go and 58 Media Reviews
Release 62 Astrology F EST IVAL FASH ION
64 Mudra Dance, play, and practice with a selection
of looks for the summer festival season that
take you from day to night.

46

22 3 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR MIND
Changing our perspective includes shifting
the external environment, finding role
models, and focusing on the big picture.

ON THE COVER:
Mara Saranpreet
Luthane wears
Bra by lululemon. Lululemon.com
Top/Super T-shirt in coral by
Trina Turk Recreation. Trinaturk.com
Shorts by Rebecca Michaels.
Rebeccamichaels.com
Necklace by Made in Earth.
Mieusa.com
Photographed by
David Young-Wolff
Davidyoung-wolff.com

2 L AYOGA.COM



EDITOR'S NOTE

PHOTO BY PAM YOUNG-WOLFF
MITO AVILES, RAPHI KAMMER, JERICA LAMENS, DAVID YOUNG-WOLFF, MARA SARAPREET LUTHANE, FELICIA TOMASKO.

Everything we have to give arises from our practice. All the ways we give and let go are as close as our
breath. Every inhalation is a chance to take in ener-
I’m paraphrasing a bit from words that Guru Jagat, gy that nourishes us; every exhalation is a chance to
Kundalini Yoga teacher and founder of RA MA In- release. In this daily give and take, I’m reminded of
stitute spoke in a recent morning class at her studio. words by Lorin Roche in this month’s discourse on the
Featured in this month’s teacher profile, Guru Jagat Radiance Sutras, “One principle to keep in mind is to
was commenting on the gift and the power of prac- balance purity and strength.”
tice, reminding us why practice is so important in our
daily lives. Our strength comes in many forms. We can tap into
our strength in how we express ourselves, even in how
This practice begins on the mat. The mat is a conduit we dress ourselves. Our fashion is both statement and
for how the teachings permeate our lives. According protection; practical adornment accessorized with a
to Ayurveda, life is a series of cycles: throughout the sense of fun. Here, we share a selection of clothing
year, the day, and our lives. As we practice and live for the festival season, suitable for practice sessions,
within these cycles, we both give to ourselves and take singing, dancing, and celebrating.
the time to give way, to cleanse, to purify, to balance.
This month, we also celebrate Earth Day; Natalie Pace
Within these cycles, there are times to give and to give shares suggestions for how to live for a day without oil.
up, times to sort through the various aspects of our
lives, re-evaluate, and let go of anything that no lon- Explore what you can give and what you can give up
ger serves us. Spring is a natural season when we en- with the attitude of connecting with a feeling of lov-
gage in the releasing and replenishing. Dr Siva Mohan ing compassion to the Earth. With each season and
explores our cycles of shedding, offering questions we every cycle, may we benefit more from our practice
can ask to invite this cycle into our lives. and have more to give.

GIVE WELL

Felicia Tomasko

4 L AYOGA.COM



AY U R V E D A A N D H E A LT H

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PUBLISHER
Felicia M. Tomasko, RN Douglas R. Corbett

Creative Director Managing Editor
Justine Power Zoë Kors

Consulting Editor Senior Editor
Marina Chetner Joni Yung

Associate Editors Advertising Executives
Jazmine Aluma Westside Regional
Kathleen Davis Manager
Karen Henry Assia Valova
[email protected]
Assistant Editors (310) 435-6490
Kiara Kinghorn
Olivia Kvitne Eastside Regional
Manager
Editorial Assistants Emily Herakovich
Rachael Cleghorn [email protected]
Krishna Khalsa (213) 482-0576
Selah Michelle
National Accounts
Tiffany Tomaszewski Manager
Jane Abram
Staff Writers [email protected]
Melissa Chua (323) 684-8632
Cheryl Depp
Dale Nieli, MSW National Accounts
Jessica Malloy Manager
Beth Prandini Avani Parmar
Nadine Truong [email protected]
(310) 344-2107

Mito Aviles Contributors McKenna Rowe
Lisa Burke
Dr. John Casey Fran Lyness Laurie Searle/Lady Yoga
Krishna Das Leah Marsh Beth Shaw
Sam Geppi Natalie Macam
Nikki Hardin Claudia Micco Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer
Hemalayaa Dr. Siva Mohan Robert Sturman
Kaitlin Huwe Daniel Overberger Jeremiah Sullivan
Carrie Janell Natalie Pace Kiyomi Takahashi
Joe Kara Joseph Parra Rita Trieger
Patricia Marie Lopez Lori Rischer Alisha Vasquez
Dr. Lorin Roche
Nancie Rooney David Young-Wolff
Pam Young-Wolff

LA YOGA Magazine is published by Bliss Network LLC
LA Yoga® and Find Bliss® are Registered Trademarks of Bliss Network, LLC™

1234 26th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Ph: 310-828-8218 Fax: 888-235-3077
layoga.com / layoga-digital.com

PRINTED IN LOS ANGELES



CONTRIBUTORS

MITO AVILES Where I Pick Up
STYLIST My LAYoga

Mito Aviles, a well-versed student of fashion, began Krishna Khalsa picks up her copy of
studying fashion at a young age and has devoted his life LA Yoga at Yoga West, where she
to it ever since. Always ahead of the curve, fashinisto leads sadhana early on Friday mornings.
Mito lent his talents as Fashion Editor for ICON Mag- Yogawest.com.
azine, style contributor for independent blogs, fashion
stylist for multiple celebs and independent clients, and WHERE DO YOU PICK UP YOUR
now fashion stylist and contributor at LAYoga. LA YOGA?
Would you like to be featured in a future
Follow Mito on Instagram: @mistertreat, issue? Please send us a high resolution
Facebook: mito aviles, Twitter: @meetwithanO. photo (300 dpi) of yourself with the maga-
zine at your favorite location in Southern
Leah Marsh California to see yourself in print.
Stylist
Email: [email protected].
When Leah is not operating her Pilates studio (pilatesx-
longbeach.com) in Long Beach, she combines her love Internship Opportunities
for health, fitness, and fashion in her Venice-based LAYoga and the Bliss Network currently
e-commerce website, Timber Ta Yoga. Leah curates a have openings for interns to join our
rebellious range of recommended fitness and fashion dynamic team. Are you interested in
gear, yoga retreats, and wellness articles or blogs. making a greater contribution to the
yoga community in Southern California?
timber-ta-yoga.com Write to us for more information at:

Natalie Pace [email protected]
Writer
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Natalie Pace is the author of The ABCs of Money Tell us what you think about what you
and Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is (aka You read in LA Yoga. We love to hear from
Vs. Wall Street). She is the founder and CEO of the you. Email your letters and other corre-
Women’s Investment Network. Natalie regularly writes spondence to: [email protected]
about the importance of financial literacy and leads
investor education retreats. Philanthropy and a com- SUBSCRIBE
mitment to the environment are important parts of her Sign up for our free weekly email
overall philosophy. newsletter and our digital edition at:

nataliepace.com layoga.com/subscribe

Carrie Gabriel MS, RD
WRITER

Carrie is a food savvy dietitian who has dedicated her
life to helping guide others up the stairway to overall
health and wellness. She received a Masters in Nutri-
tional Science from CSULA. Currently, Carrie consults
for Vision Fitness and Wellness, conducts nutrition
seminars and counseling for CIGNA and HealthFit-
ness, and works as a private practice dietitian.

steps2nutrition.com

8 L AYOGA.COM



> INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL, 8-13 APRIL. > EMPOWERING VEGAN WOMEN, 12 APRIL. > Gabrielle Bernstein:
Miracles Now, 18-19 APRIL.

APRIL EVENTS

MUSIC 12 April, 8pm. $30-$40. various studios. Each Friday Night event
The Luckman Fine Arts Complex, features a 75-minute yoga flow with your
Asif Ali Khan: Cal State Los Angeles, favorite DJ's or live musicians, inspiring
Qawwali Music of Pakistan 5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles. yoga teachers, healthy eats, and well-
A superstar in his native Pakistan, Asif Ali luckmanarts.org ness vendors.
Khan remains faithful to the sublime tradi-
tions of devotional Sufi music. Experience Luminous Movement Ongoing dates, 7-9pm. Various locations.
his pure, unbridled voice crying out above with DJ Drez fridaynightyogaclub.com
the call-and-response choruses, rhythmic Lu Fam Pro presents the Luminous Move-
hand claps, percussion, and harmonium ment with special guests Kirtaniyas and DJ Aquatic Yoga Pool
of his accompanying musicians during this Drez! Enjoy live music, electronic DJs, vi- at Shakti Fest
unique concert. sual artists, and conscious community. Based on the lineage of T. Krishnamacha-
rya, this class is a rare opportunity to learn
3 April, 8pm. 30 April, 9pm. $10. 21 and over. a therapeutic and effective approach to re-
$38 regular, $18 UCSB students. Zanzibar, storative healing with natural mineral pools
Campbell Hall, 1301 5th st, Santa Monica. based upon the current Moon and Sun
1 Mesa Rd, Isla Vista. lufampro.com cycles, honoring the divine feminine.
artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu
SPIRITUAL EVENTS 16-18 May, All day.
Tina Malia in Concert Free with festival admission.
with Hans Christian Vedanta Society’s 10th Joshua Tree Retreat Center
Tina Malia, singer, songwriter, multi-instru- Anniversary Hanuman 59700 Twentynine Palms Hwy,
mentalist and record producer, has dis- Celebration Joshua Tree.
tinguished herself in styles ranging from Now in its 10th year, Vedanta Society will bhaktifest.com
dream pop to world devotional to elec- host the communal chanting of 108 Ha-
tronic. With Hans Christian, this concert numan Chalisa mantras starting at 4am. DANCE
promises a deep listening experience, filled Enjoy fresh homemade chai along with
with virtuosic playing, heartfelt sharing, and healthy snacks and Hanuman’s birthday Paul Taylor Dance Company
a revelation of spirit and creativity. feast after the singing. Still led by the inventive legendary chore-
ographer Paul Taylor, this world-renowned
9 April, 7:30pm. $20. 12 April, 4am-5pm. modern dance company has performed in
Urban Yoga, Vedanta Temple, more than 540 cities in 64 countries over
458 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs. 1946 Vedanta Pl, Hollywood. 60 years. Paul Taylor’s dynamic, thought-
urbanyoga.org vedanta.org provoking work continues to push bound-
aries and remains deeply communicative
Karsh Kale YOGA CLASSES and wildly theatrical.
Visionary composer and producer Karsh
Kale will present Classical Science Fiction, Friday Night Yoga 11-13 April, 7:30pm & 2pm.
a new groundbreaking work of classical In- This music-fueled series gathers the LA $34-$125. The Music Center,
dian fusion and electronica. yoga community on select Friday nights at 135 North Grand Ave, Los Angeles.
musiccenter.org

10 L AYOGA.COM

> TINA MALIA, 9 APRIL. > SOUND HEALING , 19 APRIL. > PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY,
11-13 APRIL.

Compiled by KIARA KINGHORN

FILM to enter. To work with a mandala, practi- the-moment tools to help you bust through
tioners first re-create it in their mind’s eye, blocks and live with more ease.
Indian Film Festival of and then imaginatively enter its world. Dr.
Los Angeles Durham explores the possibility of recre- 18-19 April, 7-9pm. $49-$99.
This six-day festival will bridge the gap ating this kind of experience without years Golden Bridge Yoga,
between the two largest entertainment of meditative discipline. 1357 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles.
industries in the world – Hollywood and gabbyb.tv
India. Thirty-five films will be showcased 19 April, 4pm.
from or about India, starting with the highly Free with museum admission. Yoga for Fibromyalgia
anticipated opening gala premiere SOLD, Norton Simon Museum, and Chronic Pain
executive produced by Emma Thompson. 411 West Colorado Blvd, Pasadena. This workshop is grounded in simple
nortonsimon.org movements, breathing techniques, guid-
8-13 April, 7pm. $25 film only. ed visualization, and relaxation. Learn to
ArcLight Hollywood, WORKSHOPS reduce stress and to manage fibromyal-
6360 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood. gia and chronic pain through sequences
indianfilmfestival.org Empowering Vegan Women that address pain, fatigue, and sleep
Celebrate the vegan goddess in you while concerns. Learn from a mixture of theory,
KIRTAN empowering others to grow, heal, and re- practice, and the latest scientific data of-
joice in shared sisterhood. This workshop fering hope for one of the most challeng-
Kirtan and Sound Healing presents safe opportunities for self-ex- ing health conditions.
with Gabriel and the Warriors pression as well as valuable healing tools.
of Light 3 May, 2-3:30pm. $20.
Explore the expression of your higher- 12 April, 10am-4pm. Yoga Everyone,
self throughout this evening of music and $30 includes lunch. 28914 Roadside Dr. #204, Agoura Hills.
healing. Be immersed in the healing vi- Temescal Gateway Park, yogaeveryone.com
brations of harmonium, guitar, mridanga, 15601 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades.
and violin, and conclude with a 30-minute veganspirituality.com Yoga for Cancer
savasana sound bath with didgeridoo, The workshop is anyone who has experi-
crystal bowls, world flutes, guitar, harmo- Gabrielle Bernstein: enced cancer. Whether a recent diagno-
nium, and vocals. Miracles Now Book Launch sis or many years ago, all ages and levels
and Workshop of mobility are welcomed to attend. You
19 April, 8:30pm. $20 donation. In this two-day event, Gabrielle will lead will learn accessible tools and practices
Bhakti Yoga Shala, an evening workshop in which she’ll share that you can incorporate into your life.
207 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica. handpicked techniques from the book and Chairs will be provided for those not wish-
radawakening.com guide you to combat your most common ing to be on a mat.
problems, from anxiety and addiction to
LECTURES burnout and resentment. She draws in- 3 May. 4-5:30pm. $20.
spiration from many of the world’s great- Yoga Everyone,
Mandala Lecture est spiritual teachings to offer spirit-based 2814 Roadside Dr #204, Agoura Hills.
For Buddhist meditators, mandalas are practices, meditations, and do-them-in- yogaeveryone.com
not just images to view, but also worlds

LAYOGA.COM 11

OUR COMMUNITY [ open doors] Aerial yoga has become more mainstream and has grown in pop-
ularity, and more studios are offering the practice. What sets AI-
AIReal Yoga Studio Real Yoga Studio in Ventura apart from the others is that it is the
VENTURA first and only aerial yoga school registered with Yoga Alliance.

4476 Dupont Ct. Suite B, Ventura. “Aerial yoga is a form of yoga that uses a hammock as a tool,”
805-628-2777. Airealyoga.com says Carmen Curtis, aerial yoga founder and owner of AIReal
Yoga Studio. It all began with the idea of using a hammock
BE THE CHANGE YOGA to help deepen the stretch, strengthen the core, and assist in
IRVINE safely inverting without compressing the spine. With a colorful
background in the aerial world, from training as a gymnast to
3943 Portola Parkway, Irvine. creating aerial performances for Cirque du Soleil’s “Le Reve”,
714-417-9834. Bethechangeyoga.org Curtis shares her style with the Ventura community and be-
yond. Through her teacher training program, other studios have
12 L AYOGA.COM adopted Curtis’ form of aerial yoga.

This practice stems from Hatha and vinyasa yoga and uses the
hammock to align and assist. “For those new to yoga, they can
use the hammock to help them, (while) for the most advanced
yogis, we can deepen the stretch and take them to a new level,”
Curtis says.

The cozy orange-walled studio is nestled within the Airealistic
Circus and Flying school, also owned by Curtis. Although aerial
yoga is the focus, a variety of other yoga and movement forms
are also offered, including Vinyasa Yoga, barre fitness, dance,
and Pilates. With an emphasis on community, the space show-
cases local artists’ work displayed along the walls; locally-made
crafts and natural and organic products are sold in the gift store.

Melissa Chua is journalism graduate from CSUN and Los Angeles-based writer. She is an
avid crossfitter and loves playing with arm balancing poses and inversions.

Be the Change Yoga has created a buzz throughout the Orange
County yoga community since its opening in December of last
year. It boasts the title of OC’s first donation-based yoga studio.
Be the Change offers an eclectic collection of wellness services—
from Kundalini and kids yoga to acupuncture and yoga therapy.

The emphasis is on “breath-centered asana with modifica-
tions,” says Katie Sheldon Allen. She and co-owner Allison
Martin Prince drew inspiration from Bhakti Yoga Shala and
Santa Monica Power Yoga when they envisioned the impact
they want their studio to make. “We want to be a hub of spiri-
tual nightlife in OC, with kirtan, live music, speakers, and in-
spirational films.” For yogis yearning for something beyond the
physical practice, Be the Change provides an eye-opening array
of opportunities to take yoga beyond the mat including spe-
ciality classes, kirtan, art installations, a panel discussion about
activism, and more.

As the name implies, the studio aims to make positive change
throughout the community, in part by donating a portion of its
profits to various nonprofits. In the short time that it has been
open, Be the Change has partnered with area treatment centers
and schools, introduced new practices to Orange County, and
hosted events that encourage people to step outside their ev-
eryday routines and connect authentically with one another. It
continues to broaden the definition of yoga in Orange County.

By Alisha Vasquez, a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast:
facebook.com/shantiomyoga



OUR COMMUNITY [ open doors] One Down Dog’s new studio space in Silverlake is almost as
beautiful as the story of how it came to be. After her rowdy
One Down Dog teenage years, Jessica grew up and decided she wanted to be-
SILVERLAKE come a therapist. During the stressful hours earning her masters
degree, she discovered the healing power of yoga, and it became
4343 W. Sunset Blvd. #208, Los Angeles. her dream to open a studio. Countless people told her there was
323-989-DOWN. Onedowndog.com no way she could do it so young or so soon. She proved every-
one (including herself) wrong. She began in a shared space with
YOGAMAZé another instructor (bringing her supplies and packing them up
LOS ANGELES daily) and soon segued to her own grand opening of One Down
Dog on January 26 with live music and lots of food.
169 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.
Yogamaze.net Just walking into the open-format second-story space offers a
sense of the culture. Studio mascot pup Patrick greets you at
14 L AYOGA.COM the door even before you are warmly welcomed by members of
the team. Jessica wanted to create a place that was like a second
home for people to escape to, a “community space.” Beauti-
ful artwork by studio teacher Joerael Elliot adorns much of the
studio, as does a piece by artist Pascal Guetta, creating a unique
and fun energy.

Classes are offered in two adjoining rooms: a larger space is
used for the loud and upbeat yoga dance classes, and a smaller
one, for calmer sessions. One Down Dog also offers one-to-
one classes, massage packages, and private studio rentals for
mindfulness-related events.

By Tiffany Tomaszewski, a writer living, loving, and searching for life in the greater Los
Angeles area.

To say that the new YOGAMAZÉ studio is your typical yoga
studio is tantamount to saying that its owner, Noah Mazé, is
your typical yoga teacher. Highly-regarded in the yoga commu-
nity, Noah is known as the teacher’s teacher; instead of merely
leading the class through a series of poses, he weaves in medita-
tion, pranayama, yoga philosophy, and asana alignment cues so
that every student emerges with an enriched yoga practice. Ev-
ery encounter with Noah, as he puts it, “is a journey of under-
standing and a deep inquiry of the structures and the principles
behind the practice.”

Opened in August 2013 as the new home for Noah Maze’s
teacher training program, the light-filled studio near the corner
of La Brea and Beverly is conducive to expanding one’s physical
practice as well as going within to find one’s spiritual self. The
second floor space features hardwood floors and wall-to-wall
windows, a lounge to chat with fellow students, a kitchen to
stash your lunch, and a shower to freshen up after class.

YOGAMAZÉ invites experienced yogis to come for upcom-
ing philosophy and asana intensives. World-renowned scholar
Douglas Brooks will be collaborating with Noah Maze for
seminars on the Mahabharata in April and the Bhagavadgita in
October. Lecture, storytelling, and dialogue will be interspersed
with asana practice for the ultimate mind-body experience.

A regular class schedule open to the public is currently in the
works; stay tuned.

by Joni Yung, Senior Editor at LA Yoga Magazine and Host of Yoga Chat with
the Accidental Yogist on killradio.org



OUR COMMUNITY [news]

A Day 2. Ride a bike to work and to do your errands. Plan now to make
Without Oil this happen all day (or all weekend) long.

The Ultimate Earth Day 3. If you can't ride a bike or walk, choose mass transit or car-
Celebration. pool, instead of driving, or telecommute to work.

BY Natalie Pace. 4. Videoconference instead of flying to a meeting.

Ironically, it was on Earth Day, 2010, when the Deepwater Hori- 5. Use reusable bags instead of plastic.
zon exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 men and spewing
at least 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf. This was a wake- 6. Eat local, organic and low on the food chain. (This means no
up call for the Bike Power Community, which has been celebrat- chocolate or coffee for Americans and Canadians. Acck!
ing Earth Day as a Day Without Oil ever since. Drink local beer, wine and spirits.)
There are no rules. The Bike Power organizers encourage every-
one to garage the car and power their lives by bike for a day. 7. Plant a tree.
There is so much to learn from and be inspired by taking a day
off from oil. The day moves slower. Ideas spark. Meaningful and 8. Pay bills online.
lasting change takes root.
28 Suggestions for Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, 2014 9. Reduce, reuse and recycle.
1. Gift a bike to your local Goodwill or children's advocacy
group so that those most in need can pedal their way to health 10. Compost.
and greater fiscal health, too.
11. Replace your light bulbs and CFLs with LED lighting.

12. Test drive an electric car.

13. Send this article to your local newspaper and ask them to
publicize Bike Power Weekend.

14. Send this article to 10 friends and ask them to send this art-
icle to 10 friends.

15. Join the Facebook community page at: facebook.com/Bik
PowerWeekend

16. Have fun.

17. Organize an Earth Day event at a local school; help parents
pedal their kids to school.

18. Stop investing in oil in your 401K, IRA, annuity and pension
plans. Join NataliePace.com and read You Vs. Wall Street to
learn how now.

19. Use wind, solar and geothermal energy to power your home,
office and electric car.

20. If you must drive, gas up on Monday and don't refuel until
after Wednesday.

21. Get creative about avoiding gasoline and petroleum products
for an entire week!

22. Wear cotton instead of polyester.

23. Organize a bike ride in your town or city.

24. Unplug your cell phone chargers immediately after your
phone is charged. (Leaving it plugged in is like leaving the
lights on all the time -- a big energy drain.)

25. Tour the first platinum LEED-rated home in the U.S. online
at LivingHomes.net.

26. Get more green tips at Energysavers.gov/tips.

27. Learn more about energy efficiency retrofits and Passive
House building at PassiveHouse.US.

28. Buy and use less of everything!

Natalie Wynne Pace is the author of The ABCs of Money and Put Your Money Where Your
Heart Is. Learn more at NataliePace.com.

16 L AYOGA.COM

LAYOGA.COM 17

OUR COMMUNITY [news]

DESTINATION LA

Mindful Awareness at
Hammer Museum

BY FELICIA TOMASKO

Every Thursday at 12:30 in the afternoon, the Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder
Theater offers a guided experience of Mindful Awareness to anyone willing to sit
a spell.

The weekly class is led by UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC)
Director Diana Winston, Associate Director Marvin Belzer, PhD, and other instruc-
tors from MARC. Some sessions are in complete silence after the initial instruction
in the technique, while others feature Michael Perricone (pictured, on stage at the
Billy Wilder Theater) playing Tibetan bowls to accompany the practice.

Sitting in a state of mindful awareness helps us to build focus and concentration,
improve attention, reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, smooth out the
ups and downs of emotional reactivity, and promote overall health and well-being.

The guided instruction -- offered for free to all museum visitors -- focuses on de-
veloping the ability to simply sit and actively observe the physical, mental, and
emotional experience of the moment, allowing things to be as they are.

Meditation in a group supports the individual practice. The positive peer pressure
makes it less likely that you will reach for Facebook half-way through the medita-
tion session. And the deep states of calm and quiet facilitated by Winston and the
other instructors offer a truly rejuvenating lunchtime break amidst the hustle and
bustle of Westwood.

Bring your friends and take the time to sit. Tour the museum before or after, or
just pay attention.

For more information, visit: hammer.ucla.edu
Hammer Museum ,
10899 Wilshire Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90024.
310-443-7000

18 L AYOGA.COM

LAYOGA.COM 19

OUR COMMUNITY [ festival round-up]

SPRING FLING!

April-July 2014.

BY Kiara Kinghorn

Sat Nam Fest 1

Joshua Tree, California, April 17-20. Satnamfest.com

Sat Nam Fest is a four-day immersion into Kundalini Yoga: morning
sadhana, kriyas, deep meditations, and ecstatic chanting. Experi-
enced teachers and musicians including Snatam Kaur, Mirabai Cei-
ba, Guru Singh, and Simrit Kaur will lead transformational classes
and concerts suitable for experienced Kundalini yogis and beginners
alike. Sat Nam Fest West is located in Joshua Tree, only two hours
from Los Angeles on the sacred land of Joshua Tree Retreat Center,
where Yogananda has walked.

Shakti Fest: A Celebration of the Divine Feminine 2

Joshua Tree, California, May 16-18. Bhaktifest.com

Shakti Fest is a heart-opening experience with world-renowned
kirtan artists from a variety of traditions including Jai Uttal, Dave
Stringer, Donna de Lory, and Wah! The long weekend also includes
36 innovative workshops, and 50 devotional and body-centered
yoga classes led by star teachers like Shiva Rea, Sara Ivanhoe, Mark
Whitwell, Tim Miller, Saul David Raye, and more, both indoors and
and outdoors amongst breathtaking desert views. Shop at the eco-
marketplace and dine on vegetarian cuisine on the sacred land of
Joshua Tree Retreat Center.

Lightning in a Bottle 3

Bradley, California, May 22-26. Lightninginabottle.org 1. WOMEN'S YOGA AND
HIKING RE:TREAT
For the past nine years, The Do LaB has been producing innovative 2. LIGHTnig IN A BOTTLE
and inspiring events. Their signature weekend, Lightning in a Bottle, 3. SHAKTI FEST
is a fusion of electronic music with installation art, live performance, 4. Krishna Kaur AT
spiritual workshops, and an overarching embodiment of cultural SATNAM FEST.
and environmental consciousness. Much of Lightning in a Bottle’s
intimate singularity is expressed through The Lucent Temple of 4
Consciousness, a sanctuary built out of recycled a4nd found objects,
which includes over 300 experiences in yoga, workshops, speakers
and exotic world music.

Women’s Yoga & Hiking RE:treat

Telluride, Colorado, July 13-19. Elevatedretreat.com

This week-long retreat focuses on the principles of Forrest Yoga with
local practitioner Naani Sheva who will combine the healing, restor-
ative qualities of Forrest Yoga with hiking in the breathtaking San
Juan mountains. Enjoy meals prepared using locally-sourced, or-
ganic produce. This retreat includes accommodations for six nights,
meals, daily yoga, daily guided hiking, and a massage. Guests have
the option of adding more experiences.

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LAYOGA.COM 21

TEACHER PROFILE

GURU
JAGAT

Kundalini Driving.

by FELICIA TOMASKO
PHOTO S by JEFF S K EI RI K / RAW TO GRAPH ER

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LAYOGA.COM 23

TEACHER PROFILE [guru jagat]

One of the most notable features of the RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Curious About
Science and Technology in Venice is the gong. It’s the only 60-inch gong in Los Kundalini Yoga?
Angeles and the stories around it are the stuff of myth—mixed in with some Here’s Guru Jagat’s advice
truth. It takes months to make a gong this size; it was shaped by special order for novices.
for Van Halen, but the band later changed their mind. Until Guru Jagat found
it lingering on Sunset Blvd—“sad in Hollywood,”—as she puts it, the instru- - Observe how you feel before you
ment was waiting for the community that would collect and share space with go into class.
its magnificent sound.
- Observe how you feel after class.
We could all say that the instrument of our own practice is waiting for just the
right time to blossom. The time seems to be now for RA MA Institute founder - Whatever happened in between,
Guru Jagat, who has taken up the challenge of sharing the sometimes esoteric- don’t worry about it and don’t
feeling practice of Kundalini Yoga (as taught by Yogi Bhajan) in a way that think too much about it.
is relevant for the urban dwellers of LA. It’s no accident. Guru Jagat believes,
“These technologies were developed for these times.” - If you feel better or have more energy,
something happened.
There’s certainly a nod to the times, as the studio even includes ice cream
cleanses (featuring raw coconut cream from the nearby Kippy’s), along with - Come again and see how it goes.
daily 4:00 am sadhana, a Kundalini practice staple. Guru Jagat teaches classes
every day and is joined by a variety of other instructors who fill the all-day class - Wear comfortable clothes—
schedule, including two of her teachers, Tej and Harijiwan. She offers special anything that you can move in.
classes during the New and Full Moons, presides over a Sunday night prac- White is said to expand the aura,
tice and dinner club, and has hosted all-night practice and gong bath sessions but you can even wear jeans to
(complete with slumber party). She is even partnering with Julian Schwartz on class, if you like.
a burgeoning record label (RA MA Records). Guru Jagat wants the music to de-
liver the teachings to people who may never enter a yoga studio. Her plans are - The turban or head covering hits
vast and include everything from fashion and jewelry collaborations to lecture reflex points in the skull and helps
series and online offerings, leading to the development of a full-service institute contain the energy. It’s optional,
beyond a yoga studio. but try it out and see how you feel.

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“My whole consciousness,
my whole nervous system reorganized.”

The woman with a bold presence professes to love everything the way she riffs off literature and pop culture references when she
about the 80's wears Clippers T-shirts, embraces the Kundalini speaks to the room at the beginning of class.
Yoga ethos of wearing white (to expand her aura), and has a col-
lection of big sunglasses. As she says, “Since I was small, the idea Before a sense of mission and calling inspired her to open the doors
of understanding reality, as well as devotion and spiritual practice, of the studio near Lincoln and Rose, Guru Jagat taught around
were just a part of my life.” She was born with the help of mid- town for an impressive roster of private clients. Like many peo-
wives in a community in Colorado before growing up in West- ple who make the leap, she found that opening RA MA Institute
ern Maryland where she and her family were the only Jews for was “a monumental transformation for me.” As she puts it, “My
miles around. Her brother joined the Hare Krishna community at whole consciousness, my whole nervous system reorganized.” It
the age of 13. Then, while she was living in NYC with an active was a quantum leap, one she feels the community has supported.
ashtanga practice, Guru Jagat was introduced to Kundalini Yoga. Coming together in community to practice Kundalini Yoga was
Her next stop was the ashram in Espanola, New Mexico, where always Yogi Bhajan’s intention, and that the teachings would be
Yogi Bhajan was still holding court. Subscribing to Yogi Bhajan’s shared within families to accelerate the clearing of karma. RA MA
philosophy of making teachers and not students, she traveled fur- Institute is that family.
ther west to enroll in teacher training in LA with Gurmukh, Hari-
jiwan, and Tej at Golden Bridge. She subsequently taught for 10 To support herself as well as the collective RA MA family of prac-
years at Yoga West. At this point in time, she professes to have titioners, Guru Jagat rises between 3:45 and 4:30am to begin her
more than 10,000 hours of study and training under her head own practice. “When I was an Ashtangi, I got up at 6:00am six
wrap. “It’s intensive in this lineage -- it’s not just about the creden- days a week and thought I was hardcore. Little did I know what
tial or the certification; it’s about the transmission.” my next step would be.” The woman who says she’s never forgot-
ten her first Kundalini Yoga class states that the experience was
Guru Jagat’s formal western education began in the CUNY sys- like stepping into an energy field beyond time and space. The ef-
tem in New York (leading to her aforementioned intro to yoga) fects have certainly lingered.
before she graduated from Antioch University. Her “good liberal
arts education” of Humanities, English, and Poetry is revealed in Guru Jagat founded the RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic
Science and Technology. Ramayogainstitute.com

LAYOGA.COM 25

APRIL PICKS

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KARMA

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Purple Mat by Lululemon: $58-68.
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Manduka Yoga Mat Sling: $12.
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Yoga Rat MatPack Backpack:
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26 L AYOGA.COM

LAYOGA.COM 27

AYURVEDA

CYCLES OF
SHEDDING

Cultivating the Energy of Spring Cleaning
Allows Us to Let Go and Release.

By Dr. Siva Mohan 

The meaning of the Super Moon we experienced at the launch of
2014, I am told, was all about killing off or releasing relationships
that needed to go. I consciously released some; in other relation-
ships, I buried the aspects of the relationship that involved the rep-
etition of unhealthy patterns. (This is always a work in progress.)

At a certain point in our lives, those of us on a conscious path
realize that escaping things or running away from them doesn’t
really work; it doesn’t truly free us from the negative experience
or feelings that situation engendered. We will find ourselves in
similar situations. yet with different variables, thinking, “How did
I end up here again?”

Simply ending the relationship, leaving the job, or moving aren’t
necessarily real solutions.

The real solution is to change ourselves. This begins with becom-
ing more aware of how we act day-to-day and then evaluating our
choices: how we respond to situations, how we choose to view
them and talk about them, where we choose to focus attention,
what situations we allow ourselves to be in, and what we choose
to embody and therefore attract. 

Any cycle of change creates the need to examine even our thoughts
surrounding change. The following attitude can leave us stuck in
unhealthy situations:“Shouldn't I be able to be happy no matter
what?”

Ideally, yes, we can build our own strength and resiliency to be
happy in any situation. Cultivating this may take some time. We
are human, and by nature, we are easily triggered by emotions.
(One of my mentors once told me that the purpose of 90% of hu-
man behavior is to avoid certain feeling states.) So making choices
that support a healthy external environment while we shift our
internal environment is paramount to support change. Examples
would be making sure to not stock the cabinet with cookies when
you are trying to cut back on sweets, or not following your ex on
Instagram when you are trying to get over him or her.

It is always necessary, and a practice that requires a great deal of
attention, to find the balance between running away and stay-
ing in an imbalanced energetic environment expecting yourself to
magically not be imbalanced. Finding this edge and balance for
you is what I call a cycle of shedding. 

We can tap into the natural cycles and rhythms of the universe
to fortify both the shedding process and our own connection to
nature. Every month, the waning moon (from the Full Moon to

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the Dark/New Moon) is a time to release emo-
tional baggage along with anything that is no
longer serving you.

Every Spring, when we are supported by na-
ture’s abundance and the predominance of the
kapha dosha, is the most balancing time for
us to shed anything. Personally, I prepare for
this for months, first evoking the sensitivity of
the fall vata season to learn what I want to
release. Then I align myself with that choice
in the beginning of the New Year, and allow
the shedding to take place in the early Spring. 

How do you shed something? There are as
many methods as there are energetic releases.
You just have to have a ritual that symbolizes
the transition for you. That could be a fire
ceremony, a cleanse, sweat lodge, or simply
journaling.

With every death, there is a birth. As I kill off
the depleting relationship (I’m really killing off
the pattern in myself that chooses to be de-
pleted in relationships), I birth the me that fol-
lows through on choosing nurturing relation-
ships. As something is shed, something new is
inevitably picked up. I shed that old pattern
of choosing depletion and birth the pattern of
choosing nurturance. Birth and death always
happen simultaneously.

How are you going to symbolize that energetic
shift in practice—what's your ritual? 

To me, a ritual is the comprised set of tools
that support you to release/birth. What will
support you in making this turn of the cycle?
For example, if you want to exercise more (or
shed inactivity), perhaps part of your ritual is
to make a mix of inspiring music to get you
up and at it in the morning. This ritual does
not have to be esoteric. Allow the ritual to be
about knowing yourself and your blocks, and
attending to them. Only you can know how
to best support yourself through any shedding
process. As transition, letting go, and death
are all vata energetics (the dosha of air, space,
movement, creativity, and change), this sup-
port is key to not let these processes imbalance
you and to pay close attention to nurturing
yourself throughout the process.

What did you notice over the last few months
as no longer serving your greater good? What
will you birth in its place? Now is the right
time of year to do it. 

Dr. Siva Mohan integrates Ayurveda with modern medicine
in her Ayurvedic wellness practice and educational programs
to define and achieve whole-being wellness. Dr. Mohan
specializes in addressing the psychospiritual basis of healing.
Doctormohan.com.

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YOGA THERAPY

HARNESS ENERGY
EFFICIENTLY

Cycling Through the Day for Mindful Practice.

BY FELICIA TOMASKO
PHOTO BY ROBERT STURMAN

According to Ayurveda, the energetic qualities of the doshas (vata, pitta, and Each dosha cycles through the day
kapha) rotate throughout the hours so that different influences predominate in twice in a rhythmic pattern:
different portions of the day. These shifting energies can affect our practices
of asana, pranayama, and meditation, as well as our strength, mood, state of The pitta dosha predominates
mind, and more. The inherent qualities of the doshas have a strong influence from 10am–2pm and 10pm–2am.
on whatever is happening within those hours. We can fight it, or choose to
flow with it and utilize practice to help find balance amidst the ever-fluctuating The vata dosha predominates
energetic ripples of the day. from 2pm–6pm and 2am–6am.

30 L AYOGA.COM The kapha dosha predominates
from 6pm–10pm and 6am–10am.

The three doshas are groupings of the five
elements: space/ether, air, fire, water, and
earth. The vata dosha is composed of space
and air; pitta of fire and a bit of water; kapha
of water and earth. The elements and their
associated qualities give us a clue as to the
types of physiological process and states of
mind governed by that dosha. Vata, being air
and space, is naturally dry, expansive, and
mobile; therefore, the vata dosha governs all
space and movement in the body, including
the movement of impulses through the ner-
vous system, the grace and coordination of
the body, the spaces inside the joints, and our
creative capacity. The pitta dosha, being fire
(and a splash of water) is hot, intense, trans-
formational, passionate, penetrating. It gov-
erns all of the processes of digestion in the
body, including the digestion that takes place
in the mind: the ability to process our experi-
ences and to learn and practice discernment.
The pitta dosha also governs our metabolism,
radiance of our skin, and our desire and mo-
tivation. Kapha, being water and earth, is
both grounding (and if we’re not careful, a
bit muddy and murky) and stabilizing. Ka-
pha governs all structure, stability, strength,
memory, and our ability to feel and express
unconditional love.

Calm Pitta during the Midday
and Midnight Hours

Let’s think about the implications of these
cycles and how we can plan our day and our
practices to support us, starting with the pitta
dosha. We know that the sun is highest in the
sky and the most intense in the middle of the
day. These midday hours are often a time of
high energy and perhaps greater clarity. Be-
cause the pitta dosha is related to the fire ele-
ment, the digestive fire is strongest at this time,
which is why Ayurveda stresses getting in the
routine of eating the largest meal during these
midday hours. Feeling low in energy in the
afternoon or feeling burned-out at work, the
lack of midday fuel, when the fiery dosha of
pitta needs it most, may be the culprit.

The middle of the day can be a good time to
schedule a practice session, as these hours
come with a surge of energy. Waiting until af-
ter an asana, pranayama, and/or meditation
practice to enjoy lunch can help with diges-
tion; including twists in the asana practice can
stimulate the digestive fire. Beware, though,
of the danger of becoming overheated >>

LAYOGA.COM 31

YOGA THERAPY

A long savasana after fully embracing
movement can help soothe the nervous system,

between 10 am and 2 pm. To reduce pitta, try evoking the sen- For difficulty sleeping during this time of day or feelings of anxi-
sation of the body as water moving through water, using cool- ety, try pre-bedtime practices to calm vata, including massaging
ing breaths as needed (such as shitali), incorporating meditation the feet while in bed, alternate nostril breathing, a few min-
practices that evoke gratitude, love, and compassion (to mitigate utes of legs-up-the-wall before bed, or drinking a cup of warm
fiery energy), and making sure to dress in clothing that breathes almond milk alone or with with a soothing herb such as ash-
well.After practice, coconut water, water infused with mint or a wagandha. These can help calm to a cool breeze the hurricane
little aloe vera juice can all dispel extra heat. winds that can blow when vata is out of balance. However, if
you wake up during this time of day restless or ready to engage
The day’s second pitta surge begins around 10 pm, leading to a in practice, try indulging in a long meditation, a series of sun
late-night second wind. For this reason, Ayurveda suggests going salutations, or pranayama practices that enhance mental clarity
to sleep before 10 pm. Falling asleep (or at least moving in that and connection.
direction) before the fire rises also directs the energy of digestion
toward deeper healing in the body. The hours of deep sleep that Stimulate Kapha, Enjoy Strength
occur during this cycle of the day are vital for the metabolic pro-
cesses that support rebuilding. If you are trying to rebuild in any The kapha times of day are times of strength, particularly in the
way, utilize this energy appropriately for repair. morning, which for many are one of the most productive times
of the day (particularly if a person arises and gets ready before
To combat the effect of runaway fire that shows up as irritability or sunrise, or before this time of day begins).
difficulty falling asleep, try adding cooling practices to an evening
routine, such as walking or bathing beneath the moonlight, drink- If you’re sleeping late and having trouble breaking the pattern
ing water left out to absorb the rays of the moon, meditating and because it feels as though you’re waking up and having to fight
envisioning the light of the moon, practicing a late-night restor- through a heavy, wet blanket (the energy of the kapha dosha),
ative, or engaging in a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing. the remedy is to shift the waking cycle to getting up before or
around sunrise and engaging in a few sun salutations, standing
Ground Airy Vata in the Afternoon and Early poses, or other warming practices (including the breath) to break
Morning up the stagnation.

Understanding that the mid-afternoon is the vata time of the day The evening kapha time is one of the peak times in most yoga
reveals something about why we may experience be a mid-after- studios, where classes are full of people needing to shake off and
noon crash, particularly if we have ignored the instruction to eat counteract what may have been a sedentary day. When we use
a hearty lunch. Since vata is emptiness, when emptiness takes this kapha strength to move through stagnation, to uplift our-
hold in the world around us, our energy sinks. selves, to connect to the truth within the heart, then it cultivates
the deep and sustaining strength of the earth element. Standing
Try practices to get moving and get in touch with the breath. tall, balancing poses, sequences that include warrior poses or that
Take extra care to stay grounded rather than succumb to the im- evoke the warmth of the sun, sessions that incorporate gentle
pulse to simply fling the body through space. Throughout prac- warming pranayama practices—all of these can create balance
tice sessions, maintain awareness and connection with the actual within this time of the day.
feeling of the feet on the earth, the strength in the body, and the
flow of prana, or life-force, through the nadis (energy channels). Every time of the day has its potentials and its pitfalls. When
Warming breaths (as long as they are not overdone) can stoke we observe the cycles for what they are, rather than becoming
the internal fire during the naturally cold early morning. A long frustrated, we can experience clarity and harmony every hour
savasana (resting pose) after fully embracing movement can help of the day.
soothe the nervous system, which can be prone to irritation dur-
ing the vata time of day. Stay hydrated to cultivate balance. This article originally appeared in Yoga Therapy Today,
published by the International Association of
The early morning vata time, the predawn hours, are valued by Yoga Therapists: iayt.org. The upcoming Conference
many traditions for their powerful effect on connecting with spir- Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research will be held
itual potential, intuition, and the great expanse that exists both in Austin, Texas, June 5 - 8: sytar.org
beyond and within the body. Interestingly, this is the time of day
when a person’s sleep cycles allow for the most space within the Felicia Tomasko is the Editor of LA Yoga Magazine.
land of dreams—the intuitive movement within the psyche.

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SPRINGDYOEMURYSTIFYING
CLEANSE

by Nykki Hardin

Spring is a time of birth and blossoming. It is also a time of transition and of letting
go to create space for new beginnings. Understanding the energy of the season
helps us to better integrate the tradition of spring cleaning our homes and spring
cleansing our bodies.
A cleanse is a ritual intended to purify the system of anything that is causing
harm or hindering development. When we embark on a cleanse, we are sending
out a message of self-care and committing to letting go of habits, behaviors, and
attachments that are not serving us. Clean out your body and get your food story
straight, and the other pieces of your life will fall into place.
Disrupting our nutritional habits creates a heightened sense of awareness in all
areas of our lives. It is nearly impossible to undergo a cleanse and not notice the
health of our thoughts, emotions, and relationships as well as the choices we have
made and continue to make. It is a process of decoding the system and provides a
clear understanding of true nurturance. As a result, we become aligned with our
heart’s deepest desires and willingly let go of anything that is standing in the way.
Herein lies our true opportunity for growth and expansion, as we are now pure
vessels engaging in conscious creation and living with purpose. >>

LAYOGA.COM 35

- If possible, go cold. Cold-pressing juices reduces oxidation and
many sources suggest that they tend to be more nutrient dense.

- Read labels to ensure all ingredients are organic, nothing is
from concentrate, and there are no added sugars.    

- Choose or make juices with a wide variety of vegetables. Mini-
mize fruits and high-starch vegetables (carrot and beetroot) to
reduce sugar.

Juicing is a method of dramatically
increasing live enzymes and nutrients while
simultaneously giving the body a break
from digesting processed foods, alcohol,
sugar, meat, and harmful chemicals. This
is a great tool for resetting our relationship
with food, and can facilitate longer-
term dietary changes as food becomes
reintegrated with conscious intention.

specific
food cleanse

juice cleanse Often a raw, vegan, gluten-free, mono-diet (Ayurvedic kich-
ari), or whole foods nutrition regimen. Length of time varies,
Offered by multiple companies and juice bars, it can also be but usually 14-30 days.
prepared at home with a juicer and a list of recipes. Duration
varies, usually lasting three, five, or seven days. Benefits:
- Kickstarts a health regimen and create new eating habits.
Benefits:
- Delivers a large amount of nutrients and live enzymes to the - Eliminates toxic and inflammatory foods.
body.
- Gives the body a rest from digestion (especially the digestion - Overcomes cravings and disrupts destructive cycles of poor
of processed foods, alcohol, fast food, fried food, chemicals, nutritional choices.
additives, preservatives, and other substances).
- Interrupts a cycle or pattern of destructive food choices or - Encourages a new cooking repertoire and reshapes the palate.
binging on substances, including alcohol.
Considerations:
Considerations: - Beware of marketing and buzzwords when grocery shopping
- The fresher the better. Enzymes and nutrients are time sensitive or eating out. Labels like vegan, raw, all-natural, and gluten-
and decrease the longer the juice sits. free do not necessarily mean healthy. These foods can contain
- Choose unpasteurized. The heating from pasteurization re- processed or GMO ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives.
duces the amount of vital enzymes, denaturing the benefits of
the juice. - Read labels, focusing on ingredients as opposed to nutritional
value. A good strategy: If you can’t pronounce it or don’t know
what it is, then it’s probably not good for you.    

- Ask questions about food preparation when eating out. Many
dishes are prepared with unhealthy oils and loaded with fat
and sugar.

- Nuts, seeds, and coconut oil are healthy if eaten in moderation.

- Ideally, this type of cleanse emphasizes clean eating. Depend-
ing on the program, it may or may not be “healthy,” low-fat,
or low-calorie. Education and awareness around ingredients is
important, whether you are eating at home or out.

- Long-term, many of these diets are best served by taking food
and superfood-based supplements to ensure proper nutrition.

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30 day clean Spring cleaning our external environ-
eating cleanse ment and internal landscape also clears
space for new growth and expansion.
This is a balanced and sustainable way to eliminate toxins
and identify allergens. Here are two additional rituals to
consider this Spring:
EAT ONLY THESE (Everything organic)
- Fruit and vegetables 30 day digital detox
- Herbs
- Beans - Set aside one day per week cto be ompletely free of all
- Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, millet) technology. Unplug from your phone. Avoid the inter-
- Fresh-Pressed organic oils (olive, coconut, hemp) net, email, texts, and social media.
and/or ghee (clarified butter)
- Nuts and seeds - Try turning your phone off for one hour per day.
- Herbal teas, coconut water and fresh juice
- Limit your social media time to a specific one-hour block
SKIP THESE COMPLETELY twice daily.
- Meat and dairy
- Sugar purge the clutter & chaos
- Salt
- Caffeine - Remove anything you have not worn from your closet
- Bread and pasta and drawers within the past year. Donate!
- Wheat, corn, and soy
- Fried, packaged, and canned food - Rise 20 minutes earlier every day to practice a sitting
- Alcohol meditation.
- Anything containing an ingredient you cannot pronounce
- Take inventory of the top 5 - 10 people you spend the
cleansing with herbs most time with in your life. Notice which relationships
are positive and fulfilling. Spend more time nurturing
Usually marketed as a full-body cleanse, liver cleanse, colon relationships with those who nurture you back.
cleanse, or parasite cleanse. Average duration is anywhere
from 5-30 days. - Most herbal cleanses also allow complementary whole foods,
but proper nutrition is critical to receive the greatest benefit
Benefits: from a detox. Make sure you are educated in terms of wise
- Aids in the detoxification process by enhancing the body’s natu- food choices and the timing of meals with herbs.  
ral ability to repair damage.
- Addresses multiple body imbalances simultaneously. - Many herbal laxatives are packaged as cleansing aids, but can
- Can eliminate harmful bacteria and other organisms. cause more harm than good. An increased number of trips to
- Kickstarts a health regimen by resetting and restoring the system. the bathroom does not indicate a more successful detox.
- Eliminates cravings and breaks one out of destructive eating
cycles and alcohol binging. If a good herbal formula is used and a proper nutritional pro-
gram followed, an herbal cleanse can serve as a powerful method
Considerations: for healing, eliminating stress and toxicity in the body, and re-
- Use a high-quality product that contains only organic, herbal storing balance. The corresponding nutritional program should
ingredients free of additives, binders, fillers, or other unneces- increase alkalinity, decrease inflammation, break destructive eat-
sary and sometimes toxic material. ing habits, eliminate cravings, and support implementation of a
healthy lifestyle. An herbal cleanse can also identify the existence
of deeper imbalances that need to be addressed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is best to work with someone who is skilled in the science of cleans-
ing to ensure you are conducting any program safely and effectively. It is also important to
consult your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any regimen. Safe and proper
cleansing takes time, attention, and dedication.
Nykki Hardin is a Natural Health and Lifestyle Educator and founder of Reset Self Cleanse.
She combines her knowledge and expertise in nutrition, herbs, and the mind, body, spirit
connection with her experience working at cleansing and fasting resorts, in a metabolic
testing lab, and in health education. She believes in the body’s inherent intelligence
and ability to heal, and is dedicated to sharing and teaching the tools and information nec-
essary to thrive in today’s busy, overactive world. Resetself.com, [email protected]

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