Let's talk about Health!
How often do you think about food during the course of your day? Or which gym class you're going to after work? For most of us the state of our health is constantly on our mind. It doesn't help that it is constantly being over-analysed in our mainstream media. Food has always been essential for survival, so naturally it should concern us. However, there is a lot of confusion around what's good and what's bad.
I get loads of questions from people once they find out what I do. No wonder, the world IS a confusing place!
I am here to help you with wisdom and insights for your optimal health.
And as to the above and very common question - there is no generic recipe for everyone. We are all very different in our similarities and have different nutritional requirements. One of the most valuable and valid advices is: Listen to your body! Not just in terms of what you like and what you dislike, but also what feels good, what your body digests well and with what it struggles, the feeling of when to eat and when to stop, give in when your body craves a bit of sweetness in life - just listen.
How often do you think about food during the course of your day? Or which gym class you're going to after work? For most of us the state of our health is constantly on our mind. It doesn't help that it is constantly being over-analysed in our mainstream media. Food has always been essential for survival, so naturally it should concern us. However, there is a lot of confusion around what's good and what's bad.
I get loads of questions from people once they find out what I do. No wonder, the world IS a confusing place!
I am here to help you with wisdom and insights for your optimal health.
And as to the above and very common question - there is no generic recipe for everyone. We are all very different in our similarities and have different nutritional requirements. One of the most valuable and valid advices is: Listen to your body! Not just in terms of what you like and what you dislike, but also what feels good, what your body digests well and with what it struggles, the feeling of when to eat and when to stop, give in when your body craves a bit of sweetness in life - just listen.
My Health Journey
My journey to healthy living started quite early. As far as I can remember my mum always made sure we had a balanced diet. Sweets were only allowed occasionally and back then I didn't approve of that of course. But I realised that this brought me to where I am now. Healthy and ready to share my knowledge with the world. Thank you, mum.
I started cultivating strong interests in nutrition a couple of years ago when I had my eyes opened to what ingredients are added to every day simple foods by reading the labels. Something not a lot of people do and blindly eat what might look healthy on the packaging! This and many other reasons have led me to start studying and researching the human body and nutrition.
It is quite shocking to see how we are being led to believe in a diet that is not good for us – by authorities, by commercials and by lobbies. It’s all about the money, isn’t it? But it’s your body that you are poisoning with processed foods that are high in unhealthy fats, refined sugars and additives that can be toxic.
I’m a firm believer of a balanced, plant based diet that is full of whole foods. It helps maintaining or regaining your health, supports your gut function, and makes you feel amazing. Plus – and not less importantly – it protects the precious resources we have on our planet.
I have read many books, articles and research papers that have confirmed my belief. Furthermore, in my studies to become a Nutritional Therapist my world was opened to even more insights to all the health and nutrition secrets out there. I want everyone to know about them, everyone to be able to lead a healthy life and be able to enjoy guilt-free food the way I do it.
I started cultivating strong interests in nutrition a couple of years ago when I had my eyes opened to what ingredients are added to every day simple foods by reading the labels. Something not a lot of people do and blindly eat what might look healthy on the packaging! This and many other reasons have led me to start studying and researching the human body and nutrition.
It is quite shocking to see how we are being led to believe in a diet that is not good for us – by authorities, by commercials and by lobbies. It’s all about the money, isn’t it? But it’s your body that you are poisoning with processed foods that are high in unhealthy fats, refined sugars and additives that can be toxic.
I’m a firm believer of a balanced, plant based diet that is full of whole foods. It helps maintaining or regaining your health, supports your gut function, and makes you feel amazing. Plus – and not less importantly – it protects the precious resources we have on our planet.
I have read many books, articles and research papers that have confirmed my belief. Furthermore, in my studies to become a Nutritional Therapist my world was opened to even more insights to all the health and nutrition secrets out there. I want everyone to know about them, everyone to be able to lead a healthy life and be able to enjoy guilt-free food the way I do it.
Favourite Food? Local and Seasonal. Tropical Fruit when in Sri Lanka. Coconuts when in Bali, Kale when in Europe and Nuts and Seeds always!
So what does health actually mean? For me it involves many different things, not just your body. It also includes your mind and spirit, your environment, the people around you, your home, your work place or very importantly how you feel about yourself. In order to achieve health and happiness in all these aspects of our life living mindfully and aware is the way to do it. I'm sure you have all heard of the saying 'Happiness is a journey, not a destination.' The very same goes for health as well. We have to be looking after ourselves on an ongoing basis to be at our maximum health. Once you know how easy and more importantly how much fun it is to do it, it will just come naturally. Through my blog I want to contribute a small piece to your health and happiness hoping you will find as much joy as I found in living a healthy, happy life!
My Yoga Journey
My journey to being a Yoga Teacher has been in the making for over ten years.
At first, it was the physical aspect of the asana practice that pulled me in as I had been a very active person all my life. With time and several blissful savasanas later I realised how yoga benefits my monkey mind and my level of stress that I didn’t even know was there. And with that I started to get very interested in all aspects outside of the asana practice which is essentially only a tiny part of the yogic philosophies.
Breath and movement, that wonderful synchronicity in a vinyasa practice is what calms my mind, it gives my mind something to focus on. And that’s what I encourage my students to focus on. Not the triangle or the headstand, but the breath. The breath that is always with you, in each and every moment, providing you the wonderful opportunity to stay present in each and every one of those moments. And while I love a fun practice and playtime on the mat, I always balance that yang energy with something more soothing. My teaching balances the elements of yin and yang. On some days a vigorous yang flow might feel wonderful and allow you to listen to your body and honour its possibilities and limitations and on other days it might feel so much better to just sit with yourself in a pose for several minutes - connecting body, mind and breath.
During the class I tune into the energy of the group or the person to offer the most nourishing and balancing asana practice. Yoga should be challenging, soothing, calming, fun, strengthening, empowering, nourishing, connecting and balancing to leave you lying in your savasana in a state of bliss, peace and calm. From that state you can face life’s challenges, questions, tasks and paths to walk with a more open and calm mind as you take your yoga off the mat. Namaste.
At first, it was the physical aspect of the asana practice that pulled me in as I had been a very active person all my life. With time and several blissful savasanas later I realised how yoga benefits my monkey mind and my level of stress that I didn’t even know was there. And with that I started to get very interested in all aspects outside of the asana practice which is essentially only a tiny part of the yogic philosophies.
Breath and movement, that wonderful synchronicity in a vinyasa practice is what calms my mind, it gives my mind something to focus on. And that’s what I encourage my students to focus on. Not the triangle or the headstand, but the breath. The breath that is always with you, in each and every moment, providing you the wonderful opportunity to stay present in each and every one of those moments. And while I love a fun practice and playtime on the mat, I always balance that yang energy with something more soothing. My teaching balances the elements of yin and yang. On some days a vigorous yang flow might feel wonderful and allow you to listen to your body and honour its possibilities and limitations and on other days it might feel so much better to just sit with yourself in a pose for several minutes - connecting body, mind and breath.
During the class I tune into the energy of the group or the person to offer the most nourishing and balancing asana practice. Yoga should be challenging, soothing, calming, fun, strengthening, empowering, nourishing, connecting and balancing to leave you lying in your savasana in a state of bliss, peace and calm. From that state you can face life’s challenges, questions, tasks and paths to walk with a more open and calm mind as you take your yoga off the mat. Namaste.
