June 2008 Newsletter

It has been 10 years in Sedona and five years at this location - it is a good excuse for a party.... Ayurvedic appetizers and drinks prepared by our Chef Mira and music and dancing in our beautiful space. Come celebrate with us.

Look for 7:00am yoga classes (see schedule below). Get up early and do your practice before the sun gets high and the temperatures rise!

More kundalini yoga! Come for a transformational retreat -there is time for relaxation in the afternoons after intense practices in the morning that will focus and help assess how we use our energy in our lives. (more details below)

Announcing our first 30 day Kundalini Yoga Teacher Certificate Training coming up in February 2009. See details below..more to come.

Did you know that a cat's sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than a human's? That is because i

t's total nasal organ is comparatively larger than that of a human. We depend on our sense of smell for survival, spiritual and physical ; in fact it could be said that a cat's nose is its most important organ. This is why Jala Neti (nasal cleansing) is such an important yogic practice for us cats. The cleansing of the nasal passages and the cilia (nasal hairs) are essential for maximum benefit from breathing practices and for enhanced smell experiences.
To Smell Food
Can we eat food that doesn’t smell good to us? Our nose warns us when milk is tainted or the food has gone bad – no need for labeling here.
And what about finding a Mate
“Females in heat exude a powerful sexual pheromone that can be scented by a tomcat for great distances. Females can also scent out a preferred mate by his territorial markings.” That is for Householder cats – those engaged in the basic drive to procreate the species and have a good time doing it.
Establishing Territorial Lines
“Males mark their territory with urine or with pheromones from glands in their face and feet.” This is a practice that I examined from the point of view of the Yoga Sutras and find it is a pure expression of the klesha Asmita, also known as ego characterized by territorialism and ownership. This is not a useful practice in the world of enlightened cats. Humans do not express territorialism through spraying but have found a myriad of other ways of expressing this klesha, note the 30+ current wars on the planet at this time.
Warn Against Enemies and Danger
“Have you ever observed a cat entering the outdoors with head held alert, whiskers twitching, and nostrils wide open? He is sniffing out potential harm.” The world is a jungle filled with wily coyotes and mean gray fluffy monstrous tom cats...who can afford to have a stuffy nose?

Inspired by the writings of The Nose Knows Cats' Amazing Sense of Scent By Franny Syufy, About.com Send e-mails to Lionheart@7centers.com

The Ayurvedic Corner

Lassi

Refreshing Summer Drink

On a hot summer day, people in India like to slow down, relax on their porch swing, and stay cool by enjoying a refreshing glass of lassi. Lassi is fresh homemade yogurt and water blended together.

According to Ayurveda, cold yogurt alone can be heavy

on the body and clog channels. However diluting it with water and adding cooking spices makes it very easy to digest. The fast blending action aerates the frothy drink and adds agni (fire) to the yogurt, lightening its qualities.

Lassi is beneficial after meals as a digestive aid. The Lassi is also full of acidophilus and helps to replenish the friendly intestinal bacteria. 1/3 parts fresh plain yogurt to 2/3 parts water is a good ratio, though it can be made a thicker or thinner consistency according to taste. Lassi can be made sweet or savory by adding herbs and spices. Below are some traditional Lassi ingredients for different doshas:

Vata – roasted cumin seeds and pinch of salt

Pitta –a drop or two of rosewater, a teaspoon of natural sweetener like Sucanat, and a few strands of saffron.

Kapha – ginger (freshly grated or dry powder), black pepper, and a pinch of ground cardamom

Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Garnish with cooling cilantro or mint leaves and enjoy!

**Note: Though the popular and very tasty “Mango Lassi” is served at most Indian restaurants, Ayurveda says that fruit and yogurt are incompatible food items. Therefore, drink them in moderation.

For Health Consultations, Herbs, and Ayurvedic Spa Treatments, please contact Avani Robinson
Authentic Ayurveda of Sedona

There are several a

astrological events occurring in June. The first is that Mercury is retrograde now, having begun May 26, 2008. This occurs three times per year, and this is the second time around. Mercury will go direct on June 19, 2008. As you may know, when Mercury is retrograde it is a great time for reflection, doing inner work, cleaning out closets, going on retreat, researching, and reviewing future plans. Mercury retrograde is not a good time to start a new venture or sign a contract. Even when Mercury goes direct on June 19th this is not the day to do the things you have decided not to pursue while Mercury was retrograde. Mercury will be out of its “window” of retrograde motion more fully after June 28, 2008, so in reality, July is a better month for taking outer action.

The next event of note is Mars transiting the sign of Cancer and its eventual conjunction with the planet Ketu. Mars entered the sign of Cancer on April 28, 2008 and will leave the sign on June 21, 2008. Mars is debilitated in the sign of Cancer, so it will not act with its usual strength. We may feel less enthusiasm and passion, and our energies maybe become erratic, and we could lack a clear sense of timing in our actions. This Mars transit, coupled with the Mercury retrograde, may signal a time to practice communicating more precisely and deeply with others and to courageously take appropriate life-affirming action when needed. Mars in Cancer is a good time to work with body-oriented therapies like yoga and massage.

The conjunction of Mars and Ketu will occur on June 14, 2008 at 26 degrees of Cancer. Ketu is the south node of the Moon and is considered a planet in Vedic astrology. Ketu signifies spirituality, moksha, detachment, and surrender. On the shadow side, it is ungrounded and not easily seen. Ketu acts like Mars, so we will have two fiery and pitta planets connecting on June 14th. This may be a time of easily becoming angry or provoked and not knowing how to handle the energy, so a perfect time to learn to surrender to the greater good of all concerned. Also a time to be a defensive driver and avoid any quick responses that you will regret later! On the positive side, use the energy to reach for higher truths, work to overcome inner frustrations, and accept your innate spiritual strength!

Debra Infante, Vedic astrologer, can be reached at (928) 639-0623 for astrological consultations, either in person or by phone.

ALUMNI CORNER