FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH
The word ‘Yoga’ literally means union or connection, which implies union with the Supreme Authority. It has a scientific base, and it consists of well-defined exercises from head to toe, whose benefits are marvelous. In simplicity, yoga means control of mind and discipline over the body. It opens avenues to awareness, which is a flame that removes ignorance and ignoble. Yoga is for everyone, men, women, teenagers and all ages. I have seen many active adults, who regularly practice yoga exercises, enjoy excellent health, and look young and vibrant. The only way to achieve and maintain a great body, beauty, and an attractive figure is to do regular yoga poses. You will find Yoga postures in detail in my new book “I AM YOGA.”
The techniques of yoga have been applied for centuries to heal the body, but in the modern age, people talk much about yoga which seems to center around the poses and their practice. Fortunately, the situation has been showing a change now, since more and more scientifically trained individuals associating themselves with yoga and the awareness that it does not mean only the ‘postures,’ has grown. Hath yoga includes mind-training exercises, breathing kriyas, and cleansing activities. It offers a training program for the entire individual and not only weight loss or the muscles alone. It aims at all the aspects of one’s personality and every part of its functions including how the mind works! Therefore, I would advise everyone to practice yoga techniques either singly or in addition to the other unique forms such as Pranayam breathing exercises, and Meditation.
Correct Breathing
1. Once we learn a breathing pattern, the body functions properly, and our health enhances. Pranic breathing is an internal exercise for our muscles and tissues. This breathing massages the body’s essential organs and is critical for those, who desire to enjoy excellent health. In Natural Cures pranic breathing is a unique gift from Mother Nature. If you regularly practice every day, may feel filled with a feeling of wellness and mental peace. Let us focus on the rhythm of the breath.
Rhythmic breathing has two different variations; in the beginning, when you inhale, count three and while exhaling count six. After a couple of weeks when you get used to this pattern, start holding the breath for three seconds before and after inhaling. After a month’s time, you will get used to the habit of pausing for a few seconds before and after the inhalation. It is the rhythmic pattern for breathing, and this particular breathing exercise is called Anulom Vilom or Nadi Shodhan. You will learn more when you study the entire chapter.
2. (For Yoga Page): My friend is selling great Yoga mats. You can click on this link and buy the one you like or prefer: A comprehensive guide to Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic Yoga Mats provided by ConsumersAdvocate.org.
3. Take a few quiet moments of calmness and peace; start to learn to sit with yourself by doing this breathing exercises, and focus on your breath. You have only to check your breathing coming in and going out, and this real focus on your breath can help to connect you with your inner self. This breathing practice is designed to calm your mind and body and regulate your breathing pattern. Even the beginners may feel a very soothing effect only after practicing a few months. Once you are ready to enjoy a quality living and healthy life, you need to make a firm decision and take out a little time to practice Pranayam every day. It will not only improve your mental and physical health but also can help to change your attitude towards positivity. From right this moment, start sitting in silence for five minutes to feel the sense of calmness that peaceful expression can offer.
Our soul is the creator of our different faculties and according to our ancient scriptures ‘Prana’ (breath) is the highest and significant vital force, created by the Soul. We also call it lifeforce. The full functions of the human body depend on the Prana and to keep our body in a proper functioning order we need to do Pranayam. While practicing breathing exercise, we become more centered and focused. It will teach you to be with yourself. It awakens our awareness of being the soul and not a little body. It can later assist you to animate the dormant qualities within you, and eventually evolve oneness with the source. It also helps to promote keeping us stay connected to the Authority.
4. As per Ayurveda: “Breathing is the physical part of thinking and Thinking is the psychological element of respiration.”
Read more in my newest book, I am Yoga
Breathe To Live
We all breathe to survive. Breath is the Life Force 
without which we cannot be alive. Today you can learn a new chapter in life. If you breathe to live with intention and presence, what miracles it can do for you! The correct method of breathing is called Pranayam, and it is a vital aspect of yoga. Yoga has many limbs such as Hath Yoga, Rajya Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Pranayam, Meditation, Mudras, Kriyas, and much more. Here, you can find the only one Pranayam in simple language that leads to the union of Divinity.
Read more about breathing exercises in my new book “Breathe To Live.”
What kind of Pranayam do I perform and teach?
People ask me what kind of Pranayam I do and teach? The answer is: there are many breathing exercises, but I teach that connects with the SOURCE, makes you balanced, perfectly healthy and centered, and a few exercises in mind, with no physical involvement. Many people add their names to build their brand name and derive commercial benefits, but I teach guided and therapeutic which shows its effects on your health and life. They add more adjectives, homemade rules, and activities with the so-called Yoga, Pranayam, and Meditation but I teach from Maharishi’s Patanjali Yoga Sutra with their original name.
Read more about this breathing technique and more in
my new book Breathe To Live
YOGA IS FOR PERFECT HEALTH
The population is increasing fast and the world looks more crowded. In spite of having tremendous achievements of modern civilization, today’s human beings seem less happy and tranquil than before, because our lives are going out of balance. The fast and materialistic life, rapidly increasing crowds and pollution, improper food, our overeating and munching all day long, irregular meals, lack of proper physical exercise and our negative attitudes are the reasons, which degenerate our health, disturb our minds and snatch our peace. With the practice of systematical yoga, we can once again start living in a natural way.
Once you start to practice yoga slow stretches, you will feel healthier, lighter and cheerful. You will experience a new person in you. Today’s materialistic world is full of mental stress and body tension. You are always running on a fast track, surrounded by people; never getting time to relax and complete all those projects you have already planned. The present speed and hyperactive actions of the modern world are damaging our tender minds. It is extremely important for us to get a deep understanding, patience, and control over the human monkey mind. The human mind is the one, most affected by environmental conditions. Meditation, breathing exercises and yoga postures are the only simple solutions. In this way, we can help slow down the detrimental, injurious and hurtful side effects and after effects, which are the result of environmental conditions and modern medicines. You may learn yoga postures, breathing exercises and meditation from a qualified yoga instructor for a couple of months, and then practice in the privacy of your home and heal your mind and body while spending no money. Yoga means perfect health.
Yoga’s aim is to develop through gradual stages a special quality of mind, which can view, perceive reality, and acquire self-knowledge through the healthy and systematically functioning of the mind, body, and emotions. Yoga makes lazy people active and busy people relaxed. It is for anyone above nine years of age. Over twenty-six years ago, when I started teaching yoga exercises and volunteered my services in a non-profit organization in California, yoga was not accepted as a remedial form in this country at one time. As discussed here in the US, some people thought meditation is yoga, others said continuous practicing concentration is yoga and still others believed that sitting in groups and humming together is yoga. No doubt, meditation is one aspect of yoga and while practicing yoga postures and breathing exercises (Pranayam), one improves his or her concentration power for sure.
Pranayam, breathing exercises enliven the dead cells in our body, sharpen memory, enhance our health, and shed off our bad habits automatically. This also boosts energy in the body, strengthens bones and increases longevity.
Meditation calms mind and body and eventually helps the soul to connect us with the Source. It also helps acquire divine knowledge. This happens only if we put our mind to work. When we focus and fix our mind on our breath while performing any yoga Kriya or a posture, our body follows and then our Soul joins too. In this way, yoga connects mind, body, and Soul.
Yoga means control on the mind, discipline over the body and preaches no religion at all. It is for the common person, whatever his, her profession, nationality, religion, color, age, or sex, helps enhance mental and physical health. Yoga is India’s ancient science of life, for perfect health, and now accepted by all over the world. Since people are sick and tired of modern pharmaceutical medicines; I want my American friends to benefit from my rich culture and spiritual heritage.
Read more in my book Peaceful Mind Skinny Body
A correct Breathing Exercise can take you to your inner regime
A simple breathing practice of Anulom Vilom or Nadi Shodhan can introduce you to the essential breathing and Pranayam techniques such as observing and absorbing the breathing pattern regulating your breath and yourself. We all breathe to survive. If you learn to breathe correctly, what miracles it can do for you! The right method of breathing is called Pranayam, and it is a vital aspect of yoga. Yoga has many limbs such as Hath Yoga, Rajya Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Pranayam, Meditation, Mudras, Kriyas, and much more. Here in this book, you will find the one Pranayam in simple language that leads to the union of Soul.
My newest book can help to slow down negative thoughts and generate positive ones for a bright future! If you are interested, please click on this link to buy a brand new book, “Breathe To Live.”
Delicious Indian protein soup for you…by Sudesh Abrol
Lentil and Spinach Soup
(Daal Soup)
¼ green cabbage chopped
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 large carrot diced
1 medium onion chopped
½ cup of tomato sauce
1 teaspoon oregano leaves
½ teaspoon thyme leaves
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
8 cups water
1 cup yellow split peas
1 teaspoon each of ginger and garlic paste
1 teaspoon ghee/oil
Salt to taste
Wash the yellow split peas and soak in water.
Wash spinach thoroughly, chop into tiny pieces and put aside.
In a deep pot put ghee/oil and place on the stove. When hot, put curry powder and turmeric and stir. Add garlic and ginger paste and stir. Add tomato sauce, stir and let cook for 20 seconds. Put yellow split lintels in the pot and add all the vegetables and water. Add salt and let it boil. As it boils, turn down to medium-low heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes. If cooking in the pressure cooker, watch for the whistle and turn off the stove after two minutes. Let it sit for 10 minutes to cool. Open the lid, add black pepper, stir and enjoy a big bowl of hot soup.
You may add meat or any vegetable available in the house and do not get panic if any mentioned plant is not in your refrigerator.
Helps in cold and cough, detoxifies the body, digests quickly, rich in fiber and nutrients, fills you up, and contains calcium and vitamins that are great for bones.
If you like this recipe and want more of my recipes, you may buy my book, click on this link and enjoy all the recipes.
May heath be with you!
Clean Eating
“CLEAN EATING” 40 – Power Foods
Prepare a great meal that satiates your pallet, nurtures your mind and nourishes your soul.
Food is the fuel that powers our lives, a source of nutrients and gives energy to the body to carry out our daily internal and external functions. We all are supposed to believe that’s what food should be.
Unfortunately, in today’s modern age, many of us consume far too many packaged and processed foods that fail to give us the life-sustaining nutrients our body needs. Those individuals, who eat healthy food still have problems processing the nutrients required to stay healthy, energized, active and vibrant.
Plant-based foods and nuts provide the most benefits in their natural form. Vegetables which you cannot eat raw, you may steam or cook a little crunchy to protect the nutrients. If you overcook vegetables to make the food tastier, then you are depriving your body of the nutrients, minerals, and enzymes.
If you use a lot of butter/oil in your cooking to make it delicious, then it is unlikely you will lose weight and stay healthy, rather it is likely you will gain weight. You can bake, sauté, cook or steam the vegetables with salt, turmeric, and black pepper; then sprinkle olive oil or coconut oil over it and enjoy your meal. Be a little creative when you prepare your delicious recipes.
The goal of life is to be healthy, active and vibrant. For a fit and healthy body, we can consume alkaline foods which prevent mental and physical disorders. Non-alkaline foods generate acidity, which is notorious for creating gas and can be the start of dangerous conditions in the body. Here are a few alkaline foods: All dairy products, butter, most nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts and Brazil nuts.
Fruits, juicy fruits, fruit juices and especially fresh home-made juice; apples, apricots, bananas, pineapples, water-rich foods such as watermelons and all kinds of berries, figs and papayas, all come from this category. Avocados, tomatoes, and lemons are also salty foods and are highly recommended to neutralize acidity. Well-ripped berries are an excellent food, but if they are raw they produce fermentation, and all acidic foods generate bitterness, which eventually leads to diseases. Soybean is the most alkaline food, and it helps as a treatment for acidity.
Soy products are available in the market as flour, nuggets, granules and ready-made soybeans products. These are high in protein. Most vegetables are alkaline, especially all the greens, like broccoli, kale, spinach, zucchini, and cabbage, and we can use all kinds of vegetables in our everyday life to keep us healthy. In my recipe books, ‘Scrumptious Meals From India,’ in the different volumes, you can find several interesting and delicious recipes, which you may easily cook yourself at home. There are many kinds of luscious soup recipes, which assist in cleansing the skin, intestines, stimulate the digestive system, and help lose weight. All these vegetables are full of nutrients, vitamins, enzymes, fiber and minerals. You can eat soup as much as you desire because these soups will satiate your pallet, fill you up, and help you shed some pounds. These are fat cutter soups.
It is important you read the entire book and find the foods which work best for your body. You can pick those items and make a chart of those you will be consuming on a regular basis. You may also plan an adequate portion for your daily meals. Remember, all the greens you will eat are free foods. That means even if you eat a little extra, you will gain no weight. So, feel free and enjoy all the greens available in the market. Be little creative, cook your food with love and dedication and enjoy delicious meals. This food has to be delicious because you are not feeding your body alone; you are also nourishing your soul.
Nutritional benefits of eggplant
Select eggplant, which is firm and heavy for its size. Its skin should be smooth and shiny with its deep bright purple color. I have tried white but purple eggplant is my favorite with no discoloration. It has a spongy texture with a mild different taste, I will not call it bitter or pungent. Always buy with its stem and cap on one side. The good thing about eggplant is, it is full of nutrients like minerals, vitamins, enzymes, protein and fiber. It is also helpful for many diseases and in Nature Cure, we believe it is antioxidant and anti-cancer. Test it pressing down with the pad of your thumb and if it bounces back, buy it because it is ready to cook. It was grown more for a decorative garden, but when new varieties were developed, people picked up its taste and benefits. History claims that eggplants grew in India. It was then cultivated in China and Africa and ultimately, went to Italy and Japan. Now eggplants are so popular and grown everywhere.
When I moved to Arizona from California, I found my backyard was very fertile. I bought some plants and started taking good care of them. I got so many beautiful eggplants that I started taking bags full for my yoga students. The sad part is, they did not know what it was and how to cook. Many students asked me to explain recipes to cook them. My husband was tired of eating eggplants, but I remember, I picked one medium size eggplant every day, stir fried and ate with cilantro chutney as my breakfast. I love vegetables.
In India, eggplant is a popular food and I have always been an eggplant lover. We call it ‘baingan’ which actually means ‘without merit’. I do not know who assigned this name? In the beginning, eggplant has for a long time been misunderstood as a food without nutrients. But, while studying Nature Cure I was delighted to know it has so many benefits.
• Eggplant is low in calories, contains no fat and is rich in fiber that helps you feel full
• It has iron, calcium and all the essential nutrients for the human body
• It contains Vitamin K and bioflavonoids that helps hot flashes for women community and avoids blood clots in the body.
• It is a highly flavorful veggie indeed and after cooking, I relish it is highly flavorful taste
• Eggplant has certain essential nutrients that improve blood circulation and nourish the brain
• It has no fat and in Nature Cure, we believe eggplant as a heart-healthy food
• We do not throw the skin because it is packed with concentrated essential nutrients and the rich dark purple color protects from colon cancer
• Eggplant has always been used to control and manage diabetes for its high fiber
• It also lowers bad cholesterol and controls high blood pressure. It helps relieve stress too
• To enjoy its delicious flavorful taste, you can grill, stew roast and bake with your favorite spices. If you go after the taste and fry it, remember, it will soak up a lot of fats which makes our food and body heavy. Cook and eat light and live light.
Top 7 Natural Remedies to Fight Sciatica
Sciatica pain travels along the sciatic nerve, which descends from back of the pelvic to the back of the hip, thigh, and goes down the legs and touches the foot sometimes. When it happens, it is severe pain, most of the time, unbearable and the patient has to stay in the bed for couple of days. This pain may be the
reason of injury by accident, a fall, injury of the nerve, or due to inflammation in the nerve and the area around. This may also happen due to overweight creating pressure on the sciatic nerve. Pregnant women and diabetic persons often get this pain along the sciatic nerve. Lifting heavy weight or falling at slippery place, is the common cause of sciatica pain. Different people explain different experiences.