Resources
Supporting the pillars of health (restorative rest, mindful movement, peaceful mindset and appropriate nutrition) through lifestyle and meditation is the most sustainable way to lasting health and vitality. This page provides resources for these pillars, including pranayama (breath awareness practices), recipes, recommended reading, and trusted brands for commonly recommended products.
None of these products will bring you enlightenment or peace of mind. They are intended as resources to support your natural state of health, vitality, and Joy, not as stand alone treatments. These brands have become trusted either through my own experience or because so many of you have praised them over the years. Vitamins and supplements can provide powerful support and should not be taken without consulting a trusted healthcare provider and reading all of the associated contraindications. Please take care and patience before adding any vitamins or supplements to your diet. I receive a small commission for the Amazon links.
Recommended Reading.
The Yoga Sutras - translation and commentary by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD. The Yoga Sutras are the first written instructions of the oral tradition of Yoga. Pandit Tigunait breaks the four books out into separate published translations, allowing for a beautifully detailed translation and commentary from the Sri Vidya tradition. This is the translation that is used for our 5th week Sutra study.
Vishoka Meditation by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. Vishoka meditation is powerful practice for freedom from sorrow. This simple, profound book gives step by step instructions for embarking on this practice. Vishoka meditation and this text are the inspiration for our 2nd week meditation practice.
Yoga and Ayurveda by David Frawley. Ayurveda is the health system through which Yoga is prescribed as medicine. This book is my favorite basic instruction of the relationship between the two.
Woman Code by Alisa Vitti. This book changed my life and the lives of many of my clients. Alisa Vitti’s philosophy is very Ayurvedic, this book lays out cycle syncing in a simple, accessible way with fantastic charts!
Anatomy of the Spirit by Carolyn Myss. Beautiful deep dive into the power of the Chakra system and it’s relationship to various mystical traditions. This book has been a go-to resource for the building of my Yoga Therapy and Spiritual Mentorship programs.
Calling in the One by Katherine Woodward Thomas. If you have a desire to find a meaningful soul connecting romantic relationship, this book is manifestation guideline. I use it for relationship cultivation, when manifesting romance is the goal of empowered realignment.
Joint Joint CBD Balm.
We are pleased to support Joint Joint, a local comapany. We have had wonderful feedback from clients who have added joint joint to their massage. Book your medical massage and add CBD for $30.
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Joint Joint is the brainchild of a massage therapist, Jacqui Bauers, whose many years of experience educated her in the challenges people face in maintaining balance and optimal well-being in the body and mind. Ironically, those years of experience were earned by placing an intense demand on her own body while providing relief to her clients.
Peri-menopause and Menopause.
Peri-menopause refers to the time before menstruation ends. Menopause is the phase of life after one year has passed since your last menstruation. We, human beings, are one of only 4 species on this planet that continue to live and thrive after we can no longer procreate. This is a sacred, special time of life that comes with many challenges mentally, physically and spiritually. Mindset and attitude are the most powerful tools that you have to appreciate and thrive through menopause. These products support your body and mind integrating into a bright spiritual phase of life.
Pranayama for Menopause
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Durga Breath
Also known as the 3 part breath, or diaphragmatic breathing. This is the beginning of any pranayama (breath awareness) practice. Sit in a comfortable position. Place your hands on your belly, if this creates anxiety in your mind, allow your hands to rest comfortably on your lap.
INHALE breathing into your low belly, as low as you can, pushing your belly into your hands.
EXHALE allow your belly to soften and then gently press your belly to the back of your body, just enough to know you’re doing it.
INHALE push your belly into your hands, allow your ribs to seperate, and then your collar bones to push apart, the sides of your throat to expand and your jaw to soften.
EXHALE soften your belly, gently press your belly to the back of your body, just enough to know you’re doing it.
Repeat for 5 minutes.
This breath lowers the temperature and duration of hot flashes in the moment. When practiced every day for 30 days, this pranayama reduces cortisol levels and baseline anxiety. More instruction on this practice can be found here.
For personalized instruction and to learn more Yoga tools to ease the journey through menopause, book a yoga therapy session.
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Physiologic Sigh
Also known as cyclical sighing, this practice is an intervention for anxiety and the anger bombs that often come with mood swings. Practice anywhere and anytime that you feel overwhelmed by anxiety or anger.
When using this practice as maintenance for Autonomic Nervous System resilience and flexibility, practice in a comfortable seated position or lying on your back with your knees bent.
If you feel short of breath or lightheaded while practicing this pranayama (breath awareness), discontinue immediately.
INHALE as you normally would
INHALE again, a short second inhale
EXHALE through your mouth
Repeat until you feel settled, or for about 5 minutes if using as maintenance.
This breath reduces the duration of anxiety and anger. When practiced for 5 minutes every day for 30 days, this breath work reduces baseline depression and anxiety.
For personalized instruction and to learn more Yoga tools to ease the journey through menopause, book a yoga therapy session. More instructions on this practice can be found here.
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Shitali Pranayama
Shitali is the sanskrit word for “cooling” . This pranayama (breath awareness) is instant cooling for hot flashes and night sweats.
INHALE though rolled tongue or press your tongue to the inside of your two front teeth.
EXHALE through your nose (lips closed)
Repeat until you feel cooled.
*Please note that the ability to roll your tongue (as pictured) is a genetic ability. If your tongue doesn’t move that way, place the tip of your tongue at the back of your front teeth for your inhale.
**Hot flashes are associated with increased cardiovascular risks. If you are experiencing extremely disruptive hot flashes please discuss your medical options with a menopause intelligent healthcare provider.
Resources for menopause specialists can be found here.
For personalized instruction and to learn more Yoga tools to ease the journey through menopause, book a yoga therapy session.
Favored products
Überlube
High-end luxury lubricant. Instead of just being slippery, Überlube is designed to transfer sensation while reducing friction. Überlube feels amazingly silky and performs as long as you’re using it. When Überlube stops being manipulated, it starts to dissipate, leaving skin soft and moisturized, never wet or sticky.
Lume!
Outrageously Effective
Whole Body Deodorant
For Pits, Privates & Beyond
Skin loving, baking soda free, and science based!
Abhyanga Oils.
Banyan Botanicals Pitta Massage Oil
MASSAGE YOUR WAY TO PEACE
Crafted in-house in small batches according to Ayurvedic methods, Pitta Massage Oil features a base of sesame and sunflower oils infused with gotu kola, guduchi, and a blend of other cooling herbs, including passionflower and lavender. This oil is the perfect way to melt away stress and return to a place of peace.
Banyan Botanicals Kapha Massage Oil
MASSAGE YOUR WAY TO VITALITY
Crafted in-house in small batches according to Ayurvedic methods, Kapha Massage Oil features a base of sesame and sunflower oils infused with punarnava, chitrak, and a blend of other invigorating herbs, including calamus and tulsi. This oil is the perfect way to energize the tissues, promote natural cleansing, and uplift the spirit.
Banyan Botanicals Vata Massage Oil
MASSAGE YOUR WAY TO CALM
Crafted in-house in small batches according to Ayurvedic methods, Vata Massage Oil features a base of sesame and olive oils infused with ashwagandha, shatavari, and a blend of other calming herbs, including passionflower and valerian. This oil is the perfect choice when you want a luxurious way to feel centered, relaxed, and revitalized.
Kitchari
a staple of the Ayurvedic diet
1-2 Tbspns Ghee
1 cup yellow split mung beans (rinsed and drained 3 times)
1/2 Cup white basmati rice (rinsed and drained 3 times)
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
Pinch of Hing (asafoetida)
2 tsp of doshic churna
1 & 1/2 inches of ginger peeled and finely chopped (omit for high pitta and during summer season)
4-6 cups of water
Heat ghee in the bottom of a heavy-bottomed sauce pan.
Fry the mustard and cumin seeds until they pop.
Stir in the mung dal, hing, and salt.
Stir in rice, churna, and ginger.
Add water, and bring to a boil over high heat.
Turn down, cover, and let simmer until moisture is absorbed (20-30 minutes).
CranioSacral Therapy.
Still point is a naturally occurring phenomenon in the craniosacral rhythm, your body's way of periodically resetting your core rhythm for optimization. During a session with me, still points are induced to fortify this reset and support the resilience of your nervous system. This product, the still point inducer is designed by a craniosacral therapist to hold your head in the same position that my hands do on the table. Rest your head in the inducer for up to five minutes at a time unless otherwise directed by me or another healthcare provider.
