I finally feel like I’m in a space where GSND is running like a well oiled monocycle but I’ve missed my yoga exploration very much. So here’s a little something to add playfulness and spice to your yoga practice, and here’s to resuming the journey where I left off!

Here are a few ways to stretch yourself out using a hula hoop before getting into your yoga session. Great for splits, abs, hips and backbends. I use a 1m diameter PVC hoop which is light and has some give. Did this vid after 3 hours sleep and a night of 2am cookie baking, inversions and movies… hence I didn’t realise when the video cut off most of my vinyasa practice but oh well…

I’d love to hear all about your hula hooping and hula yoga shenanigans. Happy springtime stretching!!!

Faith as a vitamin – I love it!

We need faith in the wisdom of our bodies to develop a healthy relationship with food. All too often we ignore the body’s messages, subduing a headache with paracetamol or emotionally eating to smother feelings of sadness, boredom or frustration.

Faith in our bodies is a willingness to trust our intuitive cravings, innate needs and natural aversions to certain foods. It is the ability to distinguish between emotional eating and eating for nourishment.

There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophies.

                       – Friedrich Nietzsche

The body is of a far higher order of intelligence than your waking consciousness. If we hold to faith and give the body what it truly needs, it will reward us with vitality and strength.

In the same way a dedicated follower of any faith attends mass, temple or mosque to worship a higher intelligence, you must attend to the temple of your body to build vitality and a deep connection with the universal intelligence coursing through your veins.

Here are a few ways you can honour your body-temple, and experience the vitality that comes from faith in your body:

• If you want to be alive, eat live foods! Natural, hydrating foods alkalise and energise our systems.

• The body has a very sensitive acid/alkaline balance. Since most of our lifestyle is acidic, it’s vital we keep our body alkaline. Make at least 50% of your diet live, water-containing foods. Eat from every colour of the rainbow. And green drinks and green foods are king!

• Water detoxifies our systems. Make sure you drink up regularly and eat plenty of water-containing fruit and vegetables.

• Avoid refined sugar, which strips the body of natural minerals, and is acidic. Acid creates an anaerobic environment and fatigue. Replace sugar with natural sweeteners such as stevia, dates and agave and watch your energy levels soar.

Listen to your body wisdom, worship at your living temple and enjoy the benefits of strength, vitality and energy!

Thanks for reading, I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me at casey@greensmoothieyoga.com, or leave a comment below.

In the west we often mistaken ourselves for the emotions we feel, the beliefs we hold, the roles we play and the material things we have.

This “identitifcation with ego” is arguably the root of suffering as taught by innumerable spiritual teachers both modern and ancient. The explosion of yoga in the west is seemingly a counterbalance to the plight of our collective mindstate.

Leopard in a cage

But let’s bring it back to the individual. Observe the mind and you will, at times, find an animal. This is especially relevant when we’re experiencing extreme emotions, such as anger, irritation, sadness, self-pity.

Once I notice I’m in a certain mind state, say irritation, I often find it useful to  visualise that emotion in its animal form. When I’m irritated, I see a leopard in a cage.

I watch the leopard scratch the bars, growl, jump up and try desperately to break free and rip the source of my irritation from limb to limb. Yes, it’s scary! But it helps me to separate the emotion from my essence, and to realise its temporary and often insane nature.

I find it helpful to watch the leopard pacing, fretting and growling as I witness those emotions in myself. If I stay with it, I can move through the emotion and watch the leopard calm down at least a little bit. Without this visualisation it takes much longer for me to (a) not be inundated by irritation and (b) to let go of it so it doesn’t stuff up my day.

The power of visualisation

Visualising your emotions can be a useful way to detach from them and move through them, allowing them to create as little tension and acidity in your body, and suffering in your mind, as possible.

You don’t have to use animals – I just find it useful as I love animals and have been around quite a few of them.

As another example, in self-pity I visualise a little child complaining about having her lollipop stolen, I watch her throw a tantrum and cry as I feel those child-like emotions welling up in my body. Often (not always, but often) this is enough to slam my perspective back into alignment, and get on with my day without holding onto negativity.

Yoga as a tool for awareness

The practice of yoga – asana, meditation, pranayama, etc – is crucial to giving me the awareness to catch myself in these crests, or states when negative emotions arise, so that I can watch them from a safe distance and detach from them more swiftly.

Don’t be fooled – I am very much a novice, and 8 or 9 times out of 10 I don’t manage to catch the emotion, instead I get swept up in it and tossed to and fro in the emotional surf. But I have no doubt that yoga has helped me bring that down from 10 times out of 10.

Sometimes its painful, confronting, scary. But the more I undergo the psychic knife on the operating table of my yoga mat (or meditation cushion, running shoes, counsellor, journal, or whatever your tool of choice is), the more I understand myself, and the less I suffer.

This makes the discomfort of setting aside time to meditate, or holding a challenging posture, so worth it.

Join us on a Sunday afternoon for a CELEBRATION of Acrobatic Yoga, Spirit-lifting live music, and Soul-nourishing Mexican wholefood!

Acrobatic Yoga is a delightful artform that anyone with an open mind and adventurous spirit can partake in.

Having recently completed 4 weeks of Acrobatic Yoga workshops, Sam & Casey wish to share with you the gifts of this practice, in the spirit of trust, playfulness, mutual support and community!

Green Smoothie Yoga & Nutrition and Try Less, Be More in collaboration with The Living Well Studio extend their invitation to the wider community to enjoy all things inverted, balanced and FUN!

Your ticket to this fun-filled EXTRAVAGANZA includes:

• 2.5 Hour ACROBATIC YOGA Workshop – safe practice & integration of ALL facets of Acrobatic Yoga covered during the 4 weeks of workshops… PLUS new moves, transitions, counterbalances, rotations and MORE! All levels welcome and catered for, come as a beginner to find out what all the fuss is about, or as an experienced “base or flyer” ready to expand your repertoir and your imagination!
• Live music by Frankie & the Moon, artist of “Dreams” – check out Frankie’s talent and our acro moves here: http://youtu.be/ML0FP4wss2c
• Wholefood MEXICAN cuisine – after the workshop enjoy a hearty healthy Mexican meal prepared with love by experienced wholefoods chef Palasis Cooney!
• Lucky Draw Prize by lululemon athletica – you have to be in it to win it!

Tickets

$50.00

Bookings essential, as places are places limited to 30!

Book online here

Looking forward to flying and feasting with you!

Tap into a well of inner strength and vibrancy after a one-day yoga and soul-food retreat in the Northern Gold Coast Hinterlands, wellness retreat hub. At this unique retreat, Green Smoothie Yoga & Nutrition is able to fuse our passions for food and love of yoga into one life-changing event, at a cost the fraction of the usual price of the individual components making up the retreat.

Location

Green Smoothie Yoga & Nutrition Retreat, Maudsland

Date

Sunday 14 October, 2012

Time

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Value

• 2 Hr Specially designed Dynamic Detoxification Yoga Class (Value $50)
• Spicy Detox Juices and Cleansing morning Tea (Value $22)
• Vibrant Nutrition Seminar (Value $58)
• Interactive Healthy Cooking Class (Value $52)
• Delicious Vegetarian Lunch & Dessert (Value $35)
• 1 Hr Soothing & Restorative Yoga Nidra Class w/Mini Head, Neck, Shoulder & Foot Massage (Value $35)
• Warming Afternoon Tea – Chai, Gluten Free Treats (Value $17)
• Yoga Philosophy, Journey Circle, Meditation (Value $25)

Total Value – $295.00

Special Price – $160 pp Early bird

($180 pp if booked after Sunday 9 September)

Numbers limited to a maximum of 8 people to assure individualised attention and a uniquely calming experience for each participant.

Contact us at casey@greensmoothieyoga.com or phone 0432 618 279 to book your place for this beautiful day of self-care and body love that will leave you warm, nourished and on a natural high!

Just to give you a peek at what we’ll be getting up to at the Acrobatic Yoga Workshop Series, starting Thursday March 22nd, 2012 on the Gold Coast.

If you like what you see and want to be a part, click here  to find out times, location and other information you may need to attend any or all of the workshops!

with Sam Foster from Try Less Be More
& Casey Conroy from Green Smoothie Yoga & Nutrition
In collaboration with The Living Well Studio…

Thurs Evenings
March 22 & 29, April 5 & 12

6:30- 8:30 pm

Only $20 pp per workshop

We are excited to invite you to take to the mats and experience the ecstatic sensation of flight, for this unique series of four uplifting workshops…

Embrace the opportunity to push past the limitations of an individual practice and experience the nurturing sense of community that yoga can bring.
No partner is necessary, come and join us and make new friends!

Each multi-level class intelligently weaves together elements from a masala of liberating traditions:

• Vinyasa Flow
• Acrobatic Partner Yoga
• Restorative & Dynamic Flying
• Circus Acrobalance – stacks, flags, thigh stands, levers, lifts & more!
• Contact Improv – dance form that builds trust, flow & creativity
• Shiatsu, KaHuna & Thai Massage traditions
• Pranayama & Deep Relaxation

Delight in the process of advancing your physical faculties beyond your wildest dreams!
Experience the trust, surrender and community this kind of practice brings.

Develop a limitless mindset & discover the freedom of defying gravity facilitated by your fellow yogis.
These workshops will develop in you the courage to be free and the lightness to be open, regardless of experience level.

For only $20 per class this is an *extremely* affordable opportunity to learn multiple modalities from highly experienced practitioners in a safe setting – not to be missed!

Come to all, some or just one of the 4 workshops… it is up to you! They will all be different and build on gains from the previous week, but all levels will be catered for.

Your teachers

Sam Foster is a trained stuntsman experienced in acrobatic, aerial and circus arts, as well as yoga. He brings contact improv to the mix, an amazing post-modern dance form that enhances your acrobatic flying experience! His safe and nurturing style allows you to progress confidently with ease.

Casey Conroy is an integrative health practitioner trained in acrobatic yoga, acrobalance and aerial arts including flying trapeze and aerial silks. She also loves slacklining, KaHuna flying and dynamic, creative vinyasa flow! Her playful style will keep you motivated and excited to keep learning more!

Both yoga teachers are also fully qualified massage therapists, bringing an intuitive and supportive touch to your acrobatic yoga learning experience.

Come fly with us, and never look at your yoga practice the same way again!! ♥
 

To visit the event Facebook page, click here
 

To secure your place at any or all of the workshops, please email casey@greensmoothieyoga.com

Bookings click HERE

Click here to take survey and enter the draw to win a free conscious cooking class!

2012 brings a new year of conscious cooking classes! We are cooking up a batch of delicious new classes for the year and you have the chance to attend one for FREE! Here’s why…

I’m setting up an integrated nutrition practice to kick off in April this year. As a dietitian I provide Medicare, DVA and private health fund rebates for consultations, however I differ from other dietitians in that I blend clinical and holistic approaches to give you the best chance of achieving your optimal level of health! 

My goal is to bring a complementary light to clinical dietetics, using natural therapies backed by a growing body of evidence, and applied in safe, practical and revolutionary ways to improve wellbeing and inner peace. 

Your health is your most valuable asset. Without optimal health you can’t enjoy your career, wealth, relationships and the plethora of experiences life has to offer as fully nor as consciously.

Everyone knows nutrition is key to health. But when people want nutritional advice, it’s not always straightforward who to ask. There are nutritionists, naturopaths and dietitians. There’s also that guy at the gym or health food store selling supplements.

Let’s not forget GPs, pharmacists, Traditional chinese medicine practitioners, herbalists, raw food coaches, personal trainers, and other people working in the health industry that, qualified or not, are all privy to handing out nutritional advice.

What to choose… Medical or Holistic?

In the world of nutrition, my experience has been that the approaches used by nutrition professionals tend to fall under one of two labels: mainstream science and naturopathic. Alternative, holistic, complementary and natural are terms used interchangably with the naturopathic approach.

Those who practise in line with mainstream medical science use the objective evidence-base as a foundation for their entire approach. This is the realm of dietitians, who in addition to their qualification in human nutrition, have undertaken training including substantial theory and professional practice in clinical nutrition, medical nutrition therapy and food service management. Dietitians are trained to use both food and artificial supplementation to correct medically diagnosed diseases and carefully calculated deficiencies in patients.

On the other hand, a naturopath‘s approach to nutrition tends to be more “holistic”, and encourages minimal use of surgery and unnecessary drugs. The ideology focuses on naturally-occurring substances, minimally-invasive methods, and encouragement of natural healing. Naturopathic treatments range from standard evidence-based treatments, to homeopathy and other practices sometimes characterised unfavourably by the medical profession as pseudoscience.

Naturopaths who also call themselves nutritionists are generally less conservative in their approach to nutrition than dietitians, in that they may use unconventional diagnostic tools, and prescribe vitamin mega-doses, nutrient supplements and strict diets which are not accepted by mainstream medical and nutritional science.

As the burden of chronic disease expands, it is predicted that consumer demand for both medical nutrition professionals and alternative/naturopathic/holistic therapies will continue to grow. Although the public still largely trusts dietitians and often turns to them for the Medicare reimbursement advantage they provide, more and more consumers are digging into their own pockets and reaching out for alternative nutritional therapists. The body of scientific evidence for many alternative therapies is also growing.

The need for a new paradigm

Integrative medicine is a term used by a growing body of health practitioners and is defined as the best possible combination of conventional medicine and natural therapies to meet each client’s needs. Due to increased consumer demand, more Australian GPs, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals are currently undertaking or have already completed further study in alternative modalities on top of their base of clinical or hospital-based studies.

Integrative Nutrition, the combining of clinical western approaches with alternative (frequently eastern) dietary modalities, is not currently a widely-available option to Australians looking for something beyond a purely clinical or a purely naturopathic approach.

So far in Australia, naturopath/nutritionists and accredited practising dietitians have tended to oppose each other in both their capacity and approach to nutritional therapy. In the United States there is a growing trend towards integrated nutrition professionals, in the same line as doctors, physiotherapists and other allied health practitioners. Such an integrated service specifically for nutrition and offered by an APD is a very young concept in Australia.

My Vision

As an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist, I have a clinical background and apply evidence-based principles which many clients still depend on for safety and peace of mind. I have also undertaken studies and have practical experience in natural nutrition, raw food therapy, Ayurveda, Chinese nutritional medicine, Yoga, and Ka Huna Bodywork.

To my knowledge, I am the only Australian APD to take an active interest in alternative modalities and decide to integrate them into an evidence-based practice. There are a number of prominent nutritionists who apply an integrated or “wholefoods” approach but as a dietitian my goal is to bring a complementary light to clinical dietetics, using natural therapies backed by a growing body of evidence, and applied in safe, practical and revolutionary ways to improve wellbeing and inner peace. 

I want more people in this country to have access to integrated services through Medicare and health fund rebates, rather than having to fork out the entire consultation fee from their own pockets just for the privilege of accessing naturopathic and traditional nutritional wisdom.

Considering the workforce shortage in private dietetics addressing the needs of patients in the early stages of chronic disease, the increasing burden of chronic disease, growing consumer demand for alternative approaches to health, and the positive feedback I’ve received from a prototype service, I feel the need for an integrated approach to nutrition in this country is not only necessary but is pressing.

I would love to hear your comments as I work to make my vision a reality and set up one of the first integrated nutrition private practices in Australia. If you wish to be a part of this nutritional revolution and discover the benefits it may have for you, drop me an email at casey@greensmoothieyoga.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas and opinions as I develop a new nutritional model for the 21st century.