Tonic herbs are non-stimulant plants that with consistent use over time condition the the body, mind or subtle aspects to be healthier, stronger and more vital. Tonic herbs and agents, often called adaptogenic herbs have a tonifying effect on the body. That is they challenge the bodies organs, or systems and with consistent use over time the body "adapts" to the challenge, or becomes immune. While antibiotics have the long term effect of creating stronger pathogen strains, and weakening our bodies own natural defense, many tonic herbs work with the body, nourishing, balancing ad harmonizing body systems in a way that prevents disease. Tonics have been used alongside self realization practices for thousands of years and have tremendous potential for aiding body mind and spirit on the path of of surrender.
Tonic herbs can be distinguished from stimulant herbs that may have a similar initial effect, in that they do not provide immediate benefits. Stimulants provide an initial effect, drawing from the body's reserve energies to create a heightened state more immediately. This is of coarse is then associated with a swing in the other direction, as the body comes back depleted from the stimulated state. This can become a malevolent cycle if more stimulants are used to compensate for depletion. A tonic on the other hand conditions the body over time to function on a higher level. Tonic herbs are associated with a benevolent cycle. Over time tonics can cultivate more energy, balance, strength and vitality, which manifests as feeling good, motivating us to live in a way that cultivates more of this. In the Yoga tradition this is called a satvic state and is most conducive to the awakened awareness we call yoga. A tonic subtly challenges body systems over time, and body becomes conditioned to the challenge. That is not to say that a tonic will not have a "feeling" associated with using it. Just like every food has a taste and changes the way that the body feels (whether we are conscious of that or not), so too every plant, every medicine will have at least a subtle feeling associated with it.
It can be useful to understand that while herbs may affect the physical body, organs, and systems of the body, they also act on the subtle layers of being. The body can be understood as existing on many dimensional planes. With the physical being the most solid, the body ripples out in ever more subtle expressions, thought emotions, and ever more subtle aspects. Transformation on one level of being, affects all levels of being, and far from being distinct from one another the bodies or koshas are one dynamic very connected experience. As esoteric as this may sound, it is very practical. When you exercise the physical body, it usually has the affect of elevating your "spirit" too. That is physical exercise reduces mental stress, lifts mood, and make you "feel" good. The experience we call "health" is that of "ease" in body, mind, emotions and the intangible experience. As far as tonics the benevolent or satvic state they cultivate in the body is not limited to physicality. For instance Reishi Mushroom is associated with nourishing Shen, or subtle energy. This can be understood in concrete terms as increased concentration and calm, or the quieting of mental chatter in yoga called chitta vritti. It is clear why Reishi has been used for many thousands of years in the Taoist tradition as a compliment or aid to meditation practice.
Like Yoga the use of tonic herbs is a practice. Like Yoga tonic herbs won't transform you if you don't use them regularly. Herbs have long been used along side Yoga practice with the intention of realization of the totality of self. Just As Yoga in India has worked alongside the Aryuvedic system, Taoism, Zen and Chi Gong have worked alongside Chinese medicine. The best way to get started incorporating tonic herbs into your practice is to pick one. By their very definition, tonics do not create harmful side effects in people. This does not preclude idiosyncratic reactions. As you start to include any new herb or food in your life, listen and feel the effect. Often you can intuitively sense how it is affecting you. Decoctions, are a traditional way that herbs have been consumed, but they can also be eaten. In my practice I use extracts as well because they can easily be added to food or smoothies or tonic elixirs.
For a list of high quality herbs and extracts we offer and descriptions you can visit radiantlifeyoga.
Reflections on the Practice of Letting Go,
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Calcification and "Medicine" as Yoga Practice
Calcification is the root cause of many diseases. From heart disease to arthritis, it is a hardening of the body tissue, as microscopic barnacle like organisms live and die creating a coral reef like structure in the body tissues and arteries, often incorporating heavy metals and toxic material into their structures, as protection from our body's immune system. While the goal of Yoga is not longevity, Yoga energetically looks like the free flow of energy. Yoga is expressed in the physical body as flow, ease, health, and flexibility. Elimination of bad calcium has been the focus of much discussion recently in alternative health circles. As a Yoga practitioner I am very excited at the implications.
Yoga is our natural state of being... that is, conscious awareness of being, or the essential "self" which is unbound even by being. Energetically it is described as the free flow of prana, through the nadis. In three dimensions it is the embodiment and expression of the multi-dimensional self. In practical terms, this is expressed as "ease" in body mind and emotions, as opposed to "disease". Obstacles to the expression of the multi-dimensionality of self can be physical, mental or emotional. Yoga describes 5 koshas or bodies, each more subtle then the next. Physical, Mental, Emotional, Energetic, and Bliss make up the bodies. It is helpful to think of them as separate from each other for the purpose of illustration, but they are really one dynamic expression. For example, when we experience worry in the mind, this creates "tension" or tight muscles in the body. When we experience the emotion anger, it has a specific chemical reaction in the physical body systems. Conversely, when we eat toxic low quality foods, this doesn't just affect the physical body, but also the mind, emotions, energy body many subtle expressions.
With this background it becomes clear that from the lens of a yoga practice, physical disease is an obstacle to expression of the totality of self.
disclaimer.....
That is not to say that an awakened being can't be fully manifest in a calcified body. To awakened awareness the body is prakriti, illusory and non-real, and a master of prakriti would be unhindered by the illusory constraints of all things manifest. I am clarifying this only that my words remain an invitation for the articulation of infinite possibility.
For most of us however, the body, and its corresponding expression on the level of mind and emotion, can be a significant obstacle to our ability to remember the expansiveness of who and what we really are. Flexibility is not the goal of Yoga, or even a requirement of Yoga, but it is an indicator of Flow. Yoga can certainly be expressed through a diseased body, but the quality of that expression is ease. Elimination of disease is not the objective, but rather a tool to be used by the practitioner of self realization. I want to be clear that progress in Yoga is not measured by by a beautiful or healthy body. Yoga is conscious awareness that transcends the body. As beginning practitioners, however,the practice of keeping the body healthy and flowing is Satvic. That is it is a state more congenial to the experience we call Yoga.
Purifying the body with the intention of sacrifice is a shat kriya. In these days the body, mind and emotions are subjected to an incredible barrage of seemingly new poisons. In the air, water, food and even the DNA of the food we eat, are new chemical expressions that the body has no practice eliminating. The destruction of nature systems has further degraded the earth's (i.e. the body's) natural processes of detoxification and renewal.
In a discussion with Matthew Backos (who I will be interviewing shortly), he described how Adya Clarity is simply mimicking the state our water would assume on a pristine earth. Natural systems would effectively infuse ionized minerals and magnetic particles into water in a way that would naturally detoxify heavy metals, pathogens, and cellular waste. It is only the interruption of natural systems, i.e. human interference, that prevents us from being healed by our very environment.
Calcification is the blockage of ease in the body. A calcified spine corresponds to an energetic state which blocks Kundalini. With out getting too esoteric (maybe its too late), prana can be visualized as living water, with all its connotations. Electrical Magnetic elixirs like Adya Clarity can aid the effects of Yoga practice, by creating fluidity, and the balance of natural Ha, and Tha energy, which allows the body to turn up the volume on both ida and pingala aspects. By releasing the blockages which occur on the physical level of experience, we are eliminating the blockages which occur on the more subtle levels of experience, beginning with mind and emmotion, but ultimately clearing energetic pathways to consciousness of our multi-dimensionality. This is the premise behind Hatha Yoga and the practice of Asana and Pranayama. Raja Yoga, or the practice of Meditation, is a great for people who are already advanced in their practice (from this life time, or past ones), but can be frustrating for people if we do not first create a satvic state in the koshas.
There are many ways people are using to eliminate calcification. I have used MSM and Adya Clarity. MSM in the way I have used it (a tablespoon/gallon of water) is more gentle in my body. Adya Clarity (teaspoon/gallon water) is more insistent that transformation occur. It feels that it works faster. The crucial thing with either method is to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. I have found MSM in large doses to be very dehydrating, and the detoxification symptoms I have experienced with Adya Clarity can reduced to almost nothing by drinking enough good water. If you are practicing yoga, though this issue may be worth exploring for yourself.
-Matthew Portwood
radiantlifeyoga.com
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| Adya Clarity For information about our offerings visit radiantlifeyoga.com |
Friday, February 4, 2011
Classes at Asheville Culture Project
We finally are kicking off some more classes at the Asheville Culture Project. Friday class will periodically have a special focus such as Nutrition, Sutras, Energetic Anatomy and other various things that might interest yogis. Were offering an ongoing free week (starting any day), to new local students, so feel welcome to join us at any time.
Mon | 10:00am-11:15am | Asheville Culture Project | Power Vinyasa |
Wed | 10:00am-11:15am | Asheville Culture Project | Power Vinyasa |
Fri | 10:00am-11:15am | Asheville Culture Project | Power Vinyasa/ Special Topics |
Sun | 5:45pm-6:45pm | Asheville Yoga Center | Hot Flow |
Asheville Culture Project - 257 Short Coxe Ave Asheville NC 28801
Asheville Yoga Center - 239 S Liberty St. Asheville NC 28801
Note: the Free Week is valid for new local students only.
More info visit radiantlifeyoga.com
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Yoga Classes Audio Download
Three Classes taught by Matthew. These are recorded with a dicta-phone, and so are a little rough, but if you can follow along its a good practice.
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