Sanskrit at the University of Alberta

Part of the Maha Mantra in Sanskrit.

Over the 20+ years I've been teaching yoga, some aspects of the practice have become mainstream.  Others are still terribly hard to come by.  

If you're serious about learning Sanskrit in Edmonton, your time has come!  

This fall at the University of Alberta starting September 3, 2019, you can study Sanskrit with Dagmar Wujastyk, an Indologist with specialties in the History of Yoga and Ayurveda.

Classes will be held Tuesday-Friday from 10-10:50 am.  For more information online visit Beartracks or contact the Office of the Registrar.

Natural Beauty: Rosy Cheeks Facial Scrub

Wild Rose Petals, Coconut Oil, and Sandalwood Powder

Here's a variation of the Ayurvedic Sandalwood and Marigold Scrub I shared with you last summer.

What you need:

- 1 Tbsp. Virgin Coconut Oil

- 1 tsp. Sandalwood Powder

- Petals from 3 Wild Roses

What to do:

- Grind together with a mortar and pestle.

- Scrub a small amount gently onto your face.

- Rinse or wipe off with a warm, damp, cotton or silk cloth.

Store in the fridge for up to a week. 

This recipe makes enough for 4 - 6 facial scrubs or masks, enough to share with a friend!



Raja Yoga Summer Camp is Blossoming!




Japanese Iris, Symbolizes Wisdom

Raja Yoga Summer Camp has grown into an inspiring sangha of yogis and yoginis sharing their passion for all things yoga!

So far, we've savored South Indian food at Lingsa, heard about Candice's amazing experience in Africa with the Stephen Lewis Foundation's "Grandmothers to Grandmothers" Campaign, and explored the 124 Street Grand Market!

Today, we're having an Ayurvedic Tea Party and Healing Meditation!  But don't worry if you can't make it, you can check out the tea recipes here and meditation here.

We look forward to learning more about wholistic living through yoga, Ayurveda, essential oils, and more!

To receive the evites, contact me at: tarawoltjen@yahoo.ca

Ayurvedic Tea for Your Dosha



Cardamom, Cloves, Licorice, Cinnamon, Roses, and Fennel

 Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga, practiced in India for more than 5000 years.  Some say it is the world's oldest health care system! 

Ayurveda promotes vitality by removing toxins from the body, and harmonizing body, mind and spirit using foods, spices, herbs, and mantras.

You can determine your personal Dosha or constitution by taking this Dosha Quiz from the Chopra Center or this one from Doctor Oz or this one from Yoga Journal.

Ayurvedic teas are a wonderful way to introduce this ancient wisdom to your life.  They are delicious, and easy to make from herbs and spices in your garden, whole foods store, or your favorite Indian grocer.

Here are three recipes that calm and energize the body and mind without caffeine.  They also promote healthy digestive and immune systems. 

Click here for the recipe source and more information about their indications and benefits.

Vata Chai:  Licorice root, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, fennel, and stevia.

Pitta Chai:  Licorice root, rose petals, fennel, cardamom, ginger, and stevia.

Kapha Chai:  Ginger, licorice root, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and cardamom.

Drink to your pleasure and health!

Om Shri Dhanvantre Namaha: Mantra for Healing

Click here to listen to this mantra by Deva Premal on YouTube.

"Salutations to Dhanvantari, the embodiment and power of healing!"

Dhanvantari is the 17th avatar of Vishnu, physician of the gods, and the father of Ayurveda. 

This mantra can help us find the path to healing and direct us to the best health practitioners for our situation.  It may be chanted during cooking to charge the food with healing vibrations, to prevent disease and benefit those who are ill.  In addition to physical dis-ease, this mantra can be chanted for any situation that needs to be healed. 

Remember that the path of healing is not always what we expect!

Saffron Tea to Brighten Your Day

Saffron Tea, aka "Liquid Sunshine"

Saffron is prized for easing digestive and menstrual pain, lifting your mood and preventing wrinkles.

Studies say it can even lower high blood pressure and prevent the onset of some cancers.

Though saffron is one of the world's most expensive spices, you need so little that this sunny infusion will likely cost less than a cup of tea at your local coffee shop.

What to do:

Place 3-4 saffron threads in a cup. 

Add a little hot water and allow the threads to steep until the brew is bright yellow. 

Add more freshly boiled water to fill the cup.

Enjoy!

Note* You can refill your cup once or twice and still enjoy a flavorful and colorful tea. 

Optional* You can sweeten your tea, but I find the flavor pleasant all on its own.

Ten Benefits of Burning Incense

Selection of Japanese, Tibetan and Ayurvedic Incense

"- Incense can move even a merciless god.
- Incense can cleanse and purify one.
- Incense removes poisons from one's body.
- Incense can help one stay awake.
- Incense can be a good friend when one is alone.
- Incense can help one find moments of leisure even on the busiest days.
- Incense may be used in large quantities.
- Incense may be used in small quantities.
- Incense may be kept for a long time, as it never goes bad.
- Incense may be used every day."

Stated by Ikkyu, a priest of the Rinzai sect of Japanese Buddhism in the Muromachi Era

Translated by Michiko Kohama

Care2 Reaches 25 Million Members

Image Source: oneloveorigami.blogspot.ca

Today I became a member of Care2.com and helped them reach 25 million members!

Care2 is "the largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare."

Its free to join, and as a member you earn Butterfly Rewards for commenting on articles, starting and signing petitions, sending free e-cards and more. 

Butterfly Rewards can be redeemed to make a difference in the world by protecting the rainforest, providing food, water, and education for children, protecting wild, shelter and farm animals, and even helping farmers grow food crops and organic cotton!

Here are just a few links to recent articles you yogis and yoginis may find interesting:

The New and Improved Vegetarian and Vegan Food Pyramid

Gender Discrimination and Child Mortality in India

Ayurveda: Oil Pulling Heals Gums and Whitens Teeth Naturally

4 Ways Mindfulness Transforms Your Life

Thanks to Care2 for offering one more way to "Be the change you wish to see in the world." 

Warming Ayurvedic Tea for Coughs and Colds

Brrrrr!!!  Its a cold, snowy autumn in Alberta.

Here's a Ayurvedic tea that will warm you up and soothe coughs and sore throats like magic!

What you need:

4 cups water
4 cloves
2 pieces of  licorice root (called "mulethi" if you're buying it from your favorite Indian grocer)
2 (or more) slices of raw ginger root

What to do:

Boil the ingredients together or steep in your thermos on the way to work and sip happily.  No need for honey as licorice root is known to contain compounds 30-50 times sweeter than sugar!

Thanks to Rul, my favorite Ayurvedic consultant for this delicious recipe!

Note *Please do not drink this excessively if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure.

Natural Beauty: Sandalwood and Marigold Scrub

Thank you Rul, for this Ayurvedic beauty recipe!

What you need:

- One fresh, organically grown Marigold flower
- 1/4 tsp. Sandalwood Powder
- 1 tsp. Virgin Coconut Oil

What to do:

- Remove the petals from the blossom and place them in the mortar.

- Add the sandalwood powder and coconut oil.

- Crush/grind together with the pestle until you have a smooth paste.

- Rub gently onto your face and body.

- Rinse off, or wipe with a wet washcloth.


Enjoy your soft, glowing skin!