Dear Friends,

Everyone is talking about the holidays, the holidays… What to buy, where to go, what to wear and who to spend time with. The holidays seem to be all about exhausting yourself by the pursuit of excellence.

Nonsense. This week’s message is a reminder to take extra-good care of yourself. This is when people get sick. Not just from the frequent change in weather, but from the influx in unhealthy foods, and a reduction in us-time. January Cleanse anyone? I encourage everyone to take some time to spend with themselves and focus on a plan to include more health-supportive food and activities. Like doing a few heart-opening stretches as outlined below.

This week I welcome two very special guests to our weekly email forum: AMEET MATURU, a Health and Nutritional Counselor with a private practice in Brooklyn, and SARA-KATIE GILLESPIE, a Yoga Instructor and Art Historian with a healthy yoga following in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Enjoy these contributions.

Much love,
Ella

Opening your heart to the holidays

Heart opening counters the forward slump of the shoulders many of us adopt during cold weather, and these invigorating poses also help alleviate depression. If you’re feeling overwhelmed due to the many obligations the season brings, try a few energizing bridge poses. Lie on your back with your feet planted hip-distance apart and parallel, arms resting, palms down, by your sides. On an inhale, press into your feet and lift your pelvis to the sky. If the shoulders allow, gently roll the shoulders underneath the upper back and clasp your hands beneath you. Keep your feet parallel and use your thighs, not your seat, to keep your pelvis lifted. Feel your heart blossoming open from the lift of your sternum. Hold this for three to five slow, deep breaths, and unclasp the hands and gently lower your hips to the ground. Rest on your back for a few breaths (do not pull the knees to the chest), and repeat twice. After your third bridge, you can counter this pose by softly lifting the legs directly to the sky and allowing the low back to engage with the earth.

By Sara-Katie Gillespie, Yoga Instructor

Feeling spacey? Eat your root veggies

This ancient remedy has been on my mind ever since a session with my client Sejal yesterday. She was in high spirits, but had a hard time staying focused during our call. As a result we ended up jumping from one topic to the other. It was clear she needed some support to 'get grounded.'

Read more here: http://www.riceoflife.com/2008/10/feeling-spacey-eat-your-root-veggies.html

Ellavation is coming!

For those of you seeking a gentle cleanse, Ellavation is happening all month in January. Get that body of yours back in action with a slow, contemplative cleanse designed to get you realigned with your optimum self. For more information click here http://www.theregalvegan.com/site/ellavation or call Ella at 917.273.6888.