Got Plans? Raja Yoga Summer Camp 2015 Begins!

Baby Ganesha, Blesses New Beginnings

Its that time again!

Raja Yoga Summer Camp is ready for its third year and we'd love it if you could join us!

Planning meeting:

6 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 in the Food Court at Millbourne Mall in Millwoods, Edmonton.

Come share your ideas for classes, outings and events.

Enjoy a mango lassi, or chai and momos at the brand-new Nepali food-kiosk, Everest Cuisine.

Can't make it to the planning meeting?  Have a suggestion?  Want to get on the evite list?

Send me an email 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!

Sand Mandala and Open House at Gaden Samten Ling

Sweet Honey Chai...

I just had my first cup of Chai sweetened with raw, organic, Alberta "Peace Country" honey in a very long time and it was sooooo soooo yummy and sweet!

So I thought I'd share a few traditional Indian chai making videos with you, and some of the nutritional benefits of honey:

"In Hinduism, honey (Madhu) is one of the five elixirs of immortality (Panchamrita). In temples, honey is poured over the deities in a ritual called Madhu abhisheka. The Vedas and other ancient literature mention the use of honey as a great medicinal and health food.

In Buddhism, honey plays an important role in the festival of Madhu Purnima, celebrated in India and Bangladesh. The day commemorates Buddha's making peace among his disciples by retreating into the wilderness. The legend has it that while he was there, a monkey brought him honey to eat. On Madhu Purnima, Buddhists remember this act by giving honey to monks. The monkey's gift is frequently depicted in Buddhist art.

Historically, honey has been used by humans to treat a variety of ailments through topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of honey been chemically explained.

In Ayurveda, a 4000-year-old medicine originating from India, honey is considered to positively affect all three primitive material imbalances of the body. "Vaatalam guru sheetam cha raktapittakaphapaham| Sandhatru cchedanam ruksham kashayam madhuram madhu|| "It has sweetness with added astringent as end taste. It is heavy, dry and cold. Its effect on doshas (imbalances) is that it aggravates vata (air / moving forces), scrapes kapha (mucus / holding forces) and normalizes pitta (catabolic fire) and rakta (blood). It promotes the healing process." "

Thank you to Wikipedia for the information above.

If you want to know even more about the benefits of honey, click here.

Namaste!

                Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

                 Om Gum Gurubhyo Namaha

                 Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha

Woo Hoo!!! So I'm finally online, and looking forward to hanging out in Kali's Kitchen with you!  I'm new at this blog thing so forgive me for going "live" while still "under construction" but then, hey... isn't that what life's all about anyway? 

So, grab a cup of chai, listen to this beautiful invocation from Narayan Jyoti, take a look around at some of the great yoga links and resources I've already gathered here, and let me know what you think. 

I'll be adding more to the pages as often as I can, so come back soon! 

Om...