Blog

Drink Up This Summer

Pravassa — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:52:04 +0000

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.netDespite what the weather forecast suggests, summer is right around the corner; and for us in the city, that often means strong sun and even harsher humidity. When being active in summer’s heat, to hydrate is perhaps the most important active precaution to take; especially while exercising in tropical climates as I currently am and many of you do.

Whether you break a sweat every day or not, your body, which is made up of about 60% water, loses a great amount of water each day. And that amount increases in warmer climates, high altitudes, and, of course, after strenuous exercise.

Why should you care?

Well, not only is water essential in maintaining balanced body fluids, but it also maintains metabolism, prevents muscle fatigue, improves complexion, and promotes a healthy lymphatic system, along with kidneys and intestines. Yet researches have found that almost half the earth’s population is dehydrated. If you’re the average healthy adult, your brain will alert the rest of your body of dehydration with thirst. Unfortunately, thirst is often misinterpreted (often for hunger) and thus, never quite quenched.

On average, men should consume 3.7 liters of water per day, and women, 2.7 liters. To insure that you’re hydrating enough, follow these three tips:

Have a glass of water upon waking. If you like, drink it warm and add a slice of lemon; Ayurvedic philosophy believes the combination first thing in the morning will boost your immune system, aid digestion, and balance your pH.
Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables you consume being that about 20% of your hydration comes from food.
Reach for water first, whenever you feel thirsty, hungry, or even tired. Research has found that chronic dehydration will often be misinterpreted for hunger and/or fatigue.

So whether you enjoy it from the tap or from a bottle, remember to stay hydrated in the summer's heat! - Danielle E. Alvarez

Video: Ribcage Breathing by Johnson Chong

Pravassa — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Often times in yoga as in life, we do not get enough breath. If you've ever found yourself sighing in the middle of the day or feeling fatigued after a good night's sleep, it's probably because you are not breathing properly. In this short video, Johnson Anand Saurabh Chong demonstrates ribcage breathing and how to get the most out of a deep breath.

Want to practice with Johnson? Attend Pravassa's Dominican Republic vacation this July.

Video: Learning African Dance

Pravassa — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:25:09 +0000

Yoga and healing weren't the only things to make an appearance at this year's BaliSpirit Festival in Ubud, Bali. The drum beats, vibrational sound and sheer glee of African Dance made these classes a hit! Here see the final routine choreographed by Aby Niang and enjoyed by all.

6 Tips for Better Sleep

Pravassa — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

image: ambroWarm evenings and later sunsets are two of my favorite things about spring, but they sure aren’t helping me sleep soundly and it appears I’m not the only one. Nearly half of all Americans have occasional insomnia, but popularity doesn’t make the situation any less dire. In addition to making us extra irritable, sleeplessness inhibits brain function, muscular strength, and our immune system. It can lead to serious health problems and even take a toll on longevity. Fortunately, I've enacted a few simple steps to improve my quality of sleep and promote my general niceness.

1. Stay Active Earlier Exercising 4 times a week may increase your overall sleep time by an hour each night. Working out increases the body’s core temperature. As the body cools down and returns to normal in the hours that follow, it makes it easier to drift off. Just make sure you give yourself 3-4 hours to cool down before heading to bed.

2. Consume Consciously Be wary of drinking coffee, tea, or even chocolate in the afternoon as the stimulating effects of caffeine take hours to wear off. Avoiding alcohol would be wise too, it may help you fall asleep quickly, but has been proven to disrupt sleep throughout the night and leave you tired in the morning.

3. Tuck in Electronics The light from your laptop, smart phone, and any other gadget you regularly use stimulates the brain, preventing you from being able to wind down. Texting before bed can incite anxiety especially if you're keeping yourself awake waiting for a response. Put everything away at least a half an hour before you intend to fall asleep and try to take up nighttime reading, of an actual book instead.

4. Create a Sanctuary Make your bedroom a calming place that promotes sleep with cozy blankets and comfy pillows. At night, dim the lights and put the temperature to about 65 degrees, colder if you’re still having trouble sleeping. If aromatherapy is your thing, try adding lavender to your pillow as it has a calming effect.

5. Keep a Bedtime Being consistent with your sleep schedule, even on the weekends and during holidays as it reinforces a sleep-wake cycle. Determine how many hours you need to feel well rested and get into the habit of staying in bed only for that amount of time. Spending less time between the sheets promotes restful slumber.

6. Wind Down Having a ritual is essential to promoting deep, quality sleep. Try a warm bath or shower or a few restorative yoga poses (child’s pose or legs up the wall). Once in bed, consider breathing exercises to put yourself in a place of mental rest. And if all else fails, count your blessings, instead of sheep, gratitude can put your mind at ease. - Danielle E. Alvarez

Ogoh - Ogoh Day in Bali

Pravassa — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Balinese New Year, Nyepi, tends to fall in March every year, but due to moon cycles, the exact date changes. The Balinese celebrate their new year as a silent day, one of meditation and reflection. But as everything in life, every dark side, has a light, every good has its evil and Nyepi is preceded by Ogoh-Ogoh day. Ogoh-Ogoh's are evil spirits, which are prayed to in Bali just as often as good spirits. In order to cleanse the island of these spirits, the Balinese first need to draw them out into the open. The Ogoh-Ogoh day is a yearly celebration, which is planned for months beforehand and the energy in every village in Bali as the day draws near is palpable. To learn more about this tradition, take a look at the parade we participated in this year.

Travel Trends: Catering to the Well-Minded Traveler

Pravassa — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hotel YogaTravel has seen many innovative trends in the past few years—from cruises catering to solo travelers to loyalty perks for social media users—but my favorite has most definitely been the industry’s commitment to healthier travel. Especially since as much as I wish it were possible, we can’t always stay in an eco-friendly lodges offering morning fitness classes and vegetarian meals.

A healthful vacation may begin as soon as you set foot on the airplane. While many airlines have decreased the cost per person food expense, that does not mean airlines are not invested in providing healthier options. The trend is moving towards increasing the ratio of fresh food items to snacks, right now it’s at about 42/58. I know I’d rather pay a little extra for a healthy salad rather than a colorless casserole.

Mindful travel continues after check-in as well. Sheratons all over the world have partnered with Core Fitness to not only offer personal training in their gyms but more nutritional dining choices, streaming informational and fitness programming, and training equipment to be used within the hotel room. For those of us that prefer boutique hotels, Kimpton is handing out complimentary yoga tote bags to all guests, which include a yoga mat, props, straps, and exercise bands; meaning you’ll be able to pack light without foregoing your meditation, yoga, or pilates practice.

InterContinental Hotels Group is taking it even further. They’ve invested at least $150 million to the launch of a hotel chain specifically aimed at fitness-minded travelers. Christian Hempell, vice president of new business development, told the LA Times the hotels will appeal to travelers who value “a balanced lifestyle. They just want it to be part of their daily life.”

Then, there’s sleep tourism… which sounds like a dream come true. One hotel hot on this trend is the Milestone Hotel in the Kensington neighborhood of London, which offers a “sleep experience package.” Whether you’re there for pleasure or business, you can delight in a personal hour-long session with sleep expert Tej Samani followed by a peaceful and relaxing 90-minute massage. At MesaStila in Java, Indonesia, they are hosting a week-long Power of Sleep seminar in April that promises to improve your sleeping habits and increase the quality of your sleep.

Of course, you can always take it upon yourself to ensure that your healthy lifestyle extends beyond the confines of your city: pack healthy snacks, hit the hotel gym, and enjoy your time away from home. - Danielle E. Alvarez

Chocolate Coconut Haystacks

Pravassa — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

photo from Food Floozie

When we approached Chef Ilia Regini of Nourish Our Body and asked her to participate in the opening of The Foundation House holistic center in Harlem by providing some healthy food, she couldn't wait. Of course the dish everyone went crazy for was dessert. This quick and easy recipe satisfies those chocolate cravings, but offers the healthier benefits of cococut. Plus, it's fun and easy to make with kids. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 cups of unsweetened coconut, shredded
½ cup of cocoa powder
¾ cup of coconut oil
½ cup of agave nectar or maple syrup

Prepare (makes about 16 pieces):
1. In medium mixing bowl, combine coconut and cocoa. Mix well.
2. Add coconut oil and agave or maple syrup and mix together completely so there aren’t any dry spots.
3. With parchment paper lining a tray, use an ice cream scoop or tablespoon to scoop out the mixture into little mounds.
4. Freeze for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe originally appeared in: www.rawvolution.com

Spread the Love

Pravassa — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Are you feeling the love today? Whether you’re single or in a relationship with a special someone, there is no reason you can’t to rejoice in it. After all, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance; it’s an opportunity to show our selves, our bodies, and everyone around us a little extra love too. Here are five ways to celebrate today:

photo courtesy of moomsabuyFind a charity, and be generous. From preserving the environment to supporting medical research to advocating for education, there are a seemingly endless number of causes. Choose one and commit to it. Not only will you be giving back to society, but you’ll also be extending your own life. Whole Living Magazine reported that volunteering for an organization upped your longevity more than exercising four times a week or going to religious services.
Laugh with your coworkers. Valentine’s Day can be an emotionally taxing holiday for some. Fortunately, happiness is contagious. To jump-start the smiles, why tell a joke in your office? Laughter encourages blood flow and reduces stress, creating a more positive, and thereby, productive work environment. Your boss and your cubicle mate will thank you.
Stop and smell the flowers. Just because you’re not in the market for a dozen red roses, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time to get outside today. A Japanese study found that being among plants, even just for a short while, produced lower concentrations of cortisol (a stress management hormone), lower pulse rate, and lower blood pressure. Bundle up for a refreshing break.
Indulge in a chocolate, or two. According to the History Channel, 58 million pounds of chocolate candy are bought during Valentine’s Day week. What better time to begin your healthful chocolate habit than today? Researchers at the University of Cambridge found those who consume a small amount of chocolate regularly to have a 37% reduction cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke compared to those who did not. Keep in mind: dark chocolate, the highest in cancer-fighting antioxidants, is the healthiest choice.
Hug someone. Giving and receiving affection has an unlimited number of health benefits; and not just among romantic couples. Hugging has the power to dramatically lower blood pressure, and boost blood levels of relaxing oxytocin. Hug a parent, sibling, or friend to show them just how much they, and their health, mean to you. - Danielle E. Alvarez

Breathe Baby, Breathe!

Pravassa — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Month two of my Iyengar training program is under way and in January, I attended a Clay and Anatomy workshop taught by Marcy Schafler. In this class we were exposed to a 3-D look at anatomy where we molded clay into muscle shapes and applied them onto the corresponding area of skeletal manikins. We discussed the origin, action and insertion points of these muscles, in addition to reviewing extension and rotation, then we practiced poses to help internalize our new found learning. One of the most powerful teaching tools Marcy used throughout the workshop was the use of imagery in all her instruction. Needless to say, I learned a wealth of information from this class, but the most meaningful piece of imagery occurred inside a 10-minute conversation during our break.
Lung & Torso from the Bodies ExhibitJust before the break, a question was asked about the exact location of the lungs in the body. While Marcy was showing us, she made a passing comment about the distance between our mouth (where we inhale) and our lungs. It was an interesting visual reference since the space between the two seemed further than I had thought. It then occurred to me that the space between the mouth and lungs could and should be filled with air, but this does not happen automatically by just breathing in. In order for it to happen, I need to actively bring my breath down the length of my full chest cavity and into my lower abdomen. Ah Ha! This is the reason that my breath often feels shallow, I am stopping short on the inhale. A small group of us began talking about breathing and Marcy mentioned that people with asthma, anxiety and attention deficit often have shallow breathing. She suggested that we begin to visualize breathing into a straw. This can assist in the sensation of bringing the breath down into the lower parts of the chest cavity and as far down as the pelvis making it less likely that the air will be confined to the upper chest.

For the past two weeks I have consciously been breathing either literally through a straw, or visualizing this technique while breathing. I count 5 or 6 breaths on the inhale, visualizing the expansion and inflation both in the front and back of my body, like wings. My exhale is typically longer by 2 or 3 counts than the inhale. The image of the exhale is blowing out candles and releasing stale air. The changes and benefits of this full breathing have been remarkable and immediate. The most extraordinary change is that I no longer eat as much at meal time. I do not need as much food because I am filled with more air! It feels as though there is literally only so much room for food. I have spent most of my life filling up with food when what I really needed, what my body needed, was to breath. Go, figure! My cravings for sugar have also dramatically decreased. I would have never thought that my body has been starving for oxygen all these years. Instead I was busy focusing on what vitamins I needed, or if I had a thyroid problem or if I needed more cardio, less dairy, more meditation, less wheat, more water, and on and on and on.

I am now more aware of my breathing than ever. I have noticed little things like holding my breath when I am in a hurry, and my breathing more shallow when I am busy and overwhelmed. The beautiful thing about breath work is that you can practice the techniques any time and any place. I have been breathing through my imaginary straw in the car, the grocery line, walking the dog and sitting at my kitchen table. I am grateful to finally have access to my full breath and for the willingness to be a beginner. - Robin Muskal

Robin Muskal has a Doctorate in clinical psychology and has trained and worked as a psychotherapist, body worker, and energy practitioner for l5 years. Robin works with individuals on a range of mental health and quality of life concerns. In the late 80’s, Robin began her yoga practice at the Kripalu Yoga Center and has spent many years since exploring different yoga, prana, and meditation methodologies. After stumbling on an Iyengar class, Robin felt ready to pursue this style of yoga and has recently begun the Yoga Teacher Preparation Course. She is thrilled to be in a place in her life to receive the benefits of Iyengar yoga and through the use of guided meditation, breathing exercises, cognitive behavioral interventions, body psychotherapy and other techniques, Robin can help her client’s to experience a balanced flow of energy in the body and mind. Robin has a private practice in Morristown, NJ.

To Deliver or Not to Deliver?

Pravassa — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:20:00 +0000

I received a Fresh Diet advertisement in the mail earlier this week. I couldn’t tell you how they got my address, but brava to who ever does their marketing research. The beginning of the year is the most wonderful time for meal delivery companies. Many of us have resolved to lose weight, shape up, and get healthier. And if the research Health magazine reported on still holds true, 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later. Surely this year can be different with the support of fresh, healthy meals delivered to your home. But are they actually good for you?

Healthy Chef Creations meal deliveryYes! Fresh Diet was developed by a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef in 2005 and provides three freshly prepared meals and two snacks daily. The company provides members access to certified dietitians and an online meal planner to ensure that your meal plan fits your specific needs. Chefs Diet is another company that offers a similar product and services. Healthy Chef Creations, based in Florida, has even made the commitment to only using preservative-free, organic, and environmentally conscious foods in their prepared meals.

Margie Greenberg, a registered dietician in Upstate New York says there’s value in which ever program you choose. “It can help those who just want to eat healthy and don't have the time to do the prep work, those trying to take off baby weight, their 5 pound holiday weight gain, or those who genuinely struggle with managing their weight.” But, she warns that “they don’t provide the individualized behavior modification component that is vital to attaining life-long weight management.” Even if these programs do help in the short-term, there’s no guarantee that they will help to influence a healthier diet and lifestyle.

Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietician and author of The Flexitarian Diet, also notes that they don’t teach people long-term the approach to eating and/or preparing their own food.

That’s what makes classes, like those offered by Pravassa in New York and Spork in LA, so valuable. They teach the culinary skills that make it easier to create great tasting meals that will nourish our whole body. As for those remaining lifestyle changes, the Mayo Clinic offers strategies that are anything but fad-worthy: make a commitment, find your inner motivation, set smart realistic goals. This way you can enjoy healthier foods, get active, stay active, and change your perspective. Remember, no matter what wellness goal you’re striving for this year: healthy is a journey, not a destination. - Danielle E. Alvarez

Why do you need movement everyday?

Pravassa — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Our culture grows more and more sedentary every day as we spend hours at a desk, in front of a computer, at home in front of a TV or another computer. In activity leads to weight gain, bad posture, and poor overall health. We asked movement specialist and yoga instructor extraordinaire, Heather Seagraves, why it's important to have some kind of movement in your life every day.

Julie Dohrman Comes to the Mat

Pravassa — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We've been working with Anusara yoga instructor Julie Dohrman for a while now and we were so happy when we found this video she made about what brings her to the mat.

'When I come to the mat, it's a total experience of me reconnecting to my source and it feels like movement at first, but it ends up connecting me to something that's far more strong and centered than anything that I could find in just a pose.'

Untitled from Thomas Ahern on Vimeo.

Join Julie for some more heart singing this spring when she leads a 10-day Pravassa vacation to the island of the Gods: Bali.

Bring Your Mind With You

Pravassa — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

After two decades of yoga practice, I have decided to embark on a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Preparation Course in New Jersey. As a psychological practitioner, I understand that the use of yoga and meditation in working with client’s can be at times more useful than the more traditional “talk therapy”. My personal journey in this training can only enhance my clinical skills, and the limits of personal discovery, indeed, are endless. While I have just started this course of study, it has already proven that the study of the Iyengar method over the next 18 months, will lead to moments of personal self-discovery.

Iyengar Halasana variations | Friendship YogaSeveral weeks back I was struggling with the early stage of Halasana (plough pose), which is practiced with the use of a chair or table. In Iyengar yoga, the use of props is introduced from the beginning and is not just for those with physical limitations. All students of yoga have differences in flexibility, strength, size and structure. More advanced students turn to props to enhance their understanding of the posture and its effects. I happened to be using a chair to assist me with this pose. I was apprehensive, not only about the chair possibly sliding out from under me, but of the feeling of choking once in the pose, which, is a common sensation. The teacher noticed my struggle and in her kind, but matter of fact voice, she said, “Bring your mind with you”. These words woke me up as if I had been in a deep dream state of fight or flight. At that moment I realized that my mind alone was holding back my body. When I am fearful of a posture, I unconsciously fill my mind fully with my fears, leaving no imaginal room in my mind’s eye for even the possibility of reaching the pose. Now I understand that if I choose to bring my mind along with my body I will have more of a chance at arriving in the pose.

In so many ways it is the practice of mindfulness that my teacher was speaking to. If my mind and my body are in two different places, then I am not fully in either place and most often for me, my mind will win. Since that day, I have been practicing being present for the most mundane of activities. Last week when I was pouring my tea, I kept my mind on each small step of that process so that I was fully aware and available to that cup of tea, rather than sipping the tea while writing my grocery list. This whole notion takes me back to the little green paperback, Wherever You Go, There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zin. How easy it is to fall out of the mindfulness practice. However, the idea of applying this concept of mindfulness, of bringing my mind with me in my yoga practice, is nothing less than freedom. I have the opportunity, several times a week, to dampen my fear by visualizing an image of my body releasing into each stage of the posture. Since my eyes have opened to these wise words of my teacher I can say with most sincerity that I am gaining mastery over the fears that come up in my yoga practice.

As a mother, I have the magnificent opportunity of imparting some of these wonderful lessons onto my child as well. Recently, my son has been struggling with more advanced math concepts. We work together creating ideas for him to not only gain the cognitive skills he needs but discovering ways for him to believe in himself and his ability to gain mastery over the mental blocks that arise. Taking my yoga practice off the mat truly reinforces the benefits I gain in class and family members can prosper as well. Isn’t yoga great!

Asia's Best: Spa Village Tembok

Pravassa — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Have you heard? Pravassa is offering our first luxury all-inclusive wellness vacation package. During the month of April, we'd love to send you to this tropical paradise on the Island of the Gods. You can while away the day indulging in spa treatments, sipping fresh fruit smoothies by the pool or practicing your downward dog with our very own Erica Mather. There is no better place to do this then Spa Tembok. But don't just take our word for it! See why Luxury Travel Magazine added it to their list of 'Bests' in Asia.

Private Bale | Resort Entrance | Standard Room | Swimming Pool

'Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali is a place of peacefulness and calm, combining the therapeutic value of it's beautiful location with an ancient and rich cultural heritage. Reflecting the spirituality of ages the environment here is soft and serene.

Dawn rises and an indigo curtain of stars is drawn back from the sky, exposing a dramatic landscape of soaring peaks that sweep down across grassy lowlands to the black volcanic sand that kisses the blue of the Bali sea. You are in Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, and the day has just begun.

Inspired by the award-winning Spa Village Pangkor Laut, the new Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali embraces the same healing ethos of celebrating the local culture, honouring the ancient remedies of the region and infusing each visit with the essence of the surrounding scenery.

Set in a landscape of great natural beauty the 31-room resort is the ideal environment in which to throw off the cares and stresses of the world and succumb to the pleasures of a range of programs that have been created to restore what life takes from body and soul. At Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali the gentle spirituality of the island weaves through every aspect of each spa treatment, producing a unique immersive experience that is the very essence of the Spa Village philosophy.'

3, 5, and 7 night packages available during the month of April. Packages start as low at $587 per person and include accommodations, all meals, 1 spa treatment per person per day, all resort activities and taxes. If you agree that this is too good a deal to pass up, then hop over to our vacation page to find out more!

Chemical Free Dry Cleaning

Pravassa — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Green Apple Cleaners | photo: Time MagazineAt this point, you’ve already been to multiple holiday parties this season and New Year's festivities are right around the corner. You’ve also probably been frequenting the dry cleaners to keep your celebratory attire in tip-top shape. But are you mindful of which dry cleaners you choose? Here’s how to navigate the dry cleaning circuit so that you can get back to enjoying this festive and not waste time worrying about your clothes.

Why should I avoid traditional dry cleaning?
In one word: PERC. Perc or perchlorethylene is highly effective in cleaning your clothes quickly and easily, but it is also quite efficient at polluting the air. In high levels, it has been shown to cause symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, headaches, confusion, nausea and skin irritation. Furthermore, according to the EPA, in 1995, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), convened a panel of internationally regarded experts which concluded that perc is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Because perc is only one part of the cleaning process, ideally, it will be mostly removed by the time you retrieve your clean clothes. Unfortunately, there is no way to check this as perc does not have an odor. So one of the risks you run is introducing this toxin to your home where it can penetrate throughout. The National Cleaners Association does not limit levels of perc usage in dry cleaners in most states and it is still the most popular cleaning solvent. Plus, think about what it is doing to the kind folks that clean your clothing!

What are my alternatives?
Safer dry cleaning alternatives include wet cleaning and CO2 cleaning. Wet cleaning, developed in Europe, uses a washing machine similar to the one you use at home; is uses water-based cleaning technology instead of chemical based like the conventional dry cleaners. Here, the difference is, that professional cleaners are able to adjust the time, temperature, and spin speed for the optimal and gentle wash of any given fabric. 30 to 70% of garments you take to the cleaners such as silk, wool, linen and suedes can be safely wet cleaned.

CO2 cleaning is a process in which carbon dioxide is pressurized to form a clear liquid and joined with soap (to replace the role of perc), then placed in a traditional dry cleaning machine. Carbon dioxide in nontoxic and nonflammable so it doesn’t pose any health risks. And, according to a 2003 Consumer Report, this method showed optimal results compared to the other three.

How can I find alternative dry cleaners?
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it should be. Words like green and organic are used freely and not regulated. In the dry-cleaning world, organic signifies anything with carbon—which includes perc. I’d suggest you look online when on the hunt for a non-perc cleaner. We found only 1 wet cleaner in NYC; Greensleeves on W 42nd St. To look up wet-cleaners near you, use professionalwetcleaning.com. For CO2 cleaners, use findco2.com. If you have your own machine at home, you can also hand wash your wool, silk, and rayon. Care2.com offers a step-by-step guide. - Danielle E. Alvarez

Live from NY: Interview with David Dollase

Pravassa — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Pravassa sat down with NYC Qigong instructor David Dollase to find out more about this energy healing body work.

David in a private session

You're first encounter with wellness was actually yoga. I heard you took a class in college because of a girl. What made you stick with the practice?

Yes, that’s true. It was at an apartment off-campus at night after class and I followed a friend there. Initially what interested me was that the girl leading the class was very cute, but what hooked me and kept me practicing was the energy of the practice. Soon I started doing yoga almost every day, getting into the philosophy of it, and even took a teacher training. To me, it was good example of how things can start out superficial and then, if the conditions right, blossom and deepen into something significant.

What other types of eastern practices did you dabble in before finding Qigong?

I’ve had a deep interest in different spiritual traditions over the last twenty-plus years and the common thread that connects them. In college I started reading books by Beat writers, particularly Kerouac’s Dharma Bums and Gary Snyder’s poetry. That got me very interested in Zen Buddhism. I used to try to sit zazen (no-mind breathing meditation) and became interested in all things “old school” Japanese. I loved the spare, clean lines of that type of practice: just sitting on a zafu cushion, facing a blank wall with your back to the room and a single stick of incense burning.

What is Taiji and how does it work with Qigong?

Qigong literally means energy work in Chinese. It’s about working with your body’s subtle energy fields, something most of us in the West have trouble understanding. Taiji is a series of body postures, a sort of dance or flow usually moved through like a yoga vinyasa. Many consider Taiji a higher form of Qigong, which, on one hand, is true. However like most things, Taiji is only what you make of it. Most people use it as a sort of therapeutic movement for de-stressing and relaxation. This is fine and can be very helpful, but my problem with this approach is that too often it lacks an understanding of the true internal power that is inherent in Taiji - its “birth-rite” so to speak. It sells the art far too short of its true potential as a tool for healing and deepening the human experience of the world. So, Qigong is about internal power; feeling it, cultivating it and using it for yourself and others benefit. If done in conjunction with Taiji, it can bring out that elemental aspect in Taiji that correspond with that and raises it to a higher level.

David DollaseYoga is becoming a widely accepted form of spirituality and exercise in the Western world, do you see Qigong following suit?

In America, yoga is very trendy at the moment and is mostly seen as an advanced, holistic system of exercise. The spiritual aspects of it are rooted in Indian/Hindi traditions tend to be overlooked. We have places like the No Om Zone school of yoga out on the West Coast that are a perfect example. By contrast, Qigong is mostly all about inner fitness. While the physical benefits of practicing Qigong are less immediately obvious to the untrained eye, it can be just, if not more, profound in its transformation of the body as any physically based method.

What’s great about energy work is that you don’t need a special studio or space to practice in. Actually, I do a lot of my practice while standing at the bus stop or subway platform. The traditional way of practicing is outdoors, in the fresh air or a room with the windows open. This is very invigorating for the spirit and soul as well as the body. The West is gaining a whole new world of perception and sensitivity for this type of work and the ability to heal yourself and others without the use of drugs or other invasive means. The greater acceptance of these ideas are making the work more popular and accessible. For me personally, understanding energy work has deepened my yoga practice and helped me realize the deeper, energetic aspects of yoga, the true “ha – tha” (Sun/Moon, Yin/Yang) of it that was never taught to me by any teacher or book I read.

Meditation is also a huge part of your study and offering as a teacher. Who do you find is most receptive to this practice and what's the best way you've found to reach people who are skeptical?

Actually, the longer I play with energy work the more I see it as a sort of natural meditation. To me they are one in the same, especially in the healing work that I do. I mainly teach Zhan Zhuang (pronounced “Jan Jong”) in China and Standing Post in the West, a sort of standing Zazen meditation. I introduce people to energy work through classes or private sessions. Often people come to me not knowing what to expect and are initially unsure how these simple standing postures can do anything for them. Frequently they are surprised to discover how difficult it can be to stand still, even for very fit people, for any length of time. Nobody ever just stands there, spending time with themselves, usually people are too afraid to do this. But, if they accept the challenge, they invariably come to the end of the session having discovered, even if just for a moment, that there’s a deep, powerful, healing well of stillness, relaxation and power within. Even if at first they don’t understand it, I can often see that they felt the recognition of something within themselves. They catch a flicker of who they fundamentally are, something they may have lost touch with, and this is where the power, peace, and healing truly is for all of us.

David Dollase is a performance coach and energy healer who works and plays in the New York City area.

Win a Wellness Package!!

Pravassa — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

We've had a blast bringing you the latest and greatest in Wellness for the past two years. Now, it's time we hear from you to see if we're doing a good job. Take our 5 minute survey and be entered into our holiday giveaway: a $150 Wellness Package. You'll get great products such as Buddha Nose Awake Spray, samples of 3 Dr. Alkatis Face Masks, a VSX workout top, a YogiToes uStrap and more!

Take Survey Now!

survey open until Tuesday, December 6th.

Behind the Fad: Why Detoxing is Good for your Body

Pravassa — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Cleanses and detoxes seem to be everywhere these days and for a good reason. We often find ourselves running from point A to point Z in the course of a day without paying much attention to what we are eating, where it came from and how it affects our bodies. By definition, detox is shorthand for detoxification, which is the process of removing toxic substances or qualities. Unfortunately modern day food is just this – toxic. So much focus has gone into making food quick, easy, inexpensive and highly marketable that little attention is paid towards the actual nutritional properties. The result is a food supply that is full of crap – literally and figuratively.

So it’s important to take time to detoxify your body from the waste the builds up. Think about what happens when your shower drain gets clogged. First, the water drains more slowly. Then the water starts to back up and finally, if left untreated, it simply stops draining and gets stuck. And let’s face it…it's kind of gross when this happens, right? So a plumber goes in and cleans out the gunk that has accumulated so everything works as it is meant to.

Well, the same thing can happen in the body. Toxins ingested from food, medications, alcohol, smog, personal care items, and cleaning products (to name just a few culprits) can all build up in the gut and, if left there, may cause toxicity that can be attributed to numerous diseases.

So cleanses and detoxes are aimed to clean out the clutter and promote a healthier environment in the gut, which may help the rest of the bodily systems work properly. Signs that you may need to detox include:

Fatigue
Headaches
Irregularity
Bloating
Cravings
Skin irritations including rashes, acne, dry skin, etc
Dark and/or puffy under-eye circles
Trouble losing weight
Sinus challenges
Weak immune system
Muscle aches and joint pain

If you have been on several rounds of antibiotics in the last few months, consume a lot of overly processed food or soda, crave sweets or salty foods, drink a large amount of caffeine or alcohol or have recently stopped smoking, a detox may be a good choice for you as well.

There are a lot of different theories on detoxes out there and it’s important to find one that is good for you and your life. I’m guessing you are a busy person, because let’s face it, who isn’t? You may also get nervous about the idea of surviving on mostly liquids for several days, which is the basis for many popular cleanses.

A whole foods cleanse is designed to slowly wean you off many acid forming and overly consumed foods including processed sugar, coffee, and wheat over the course of a few days. After removing the culprits, you then incorporate healthy whole foods such as fresh leafy greens, gluten free grains, and low sugar fruits. These are foods that we should all be eating plenty of to begin with but, more often than not, we aren’t. This type of detox is also designed to bring any food allergies or sensitivities to light and determine if any health challenges may be improved with dietary changes. The use of healthy supplements including probiotics, milk thistle and senna root are used to gently clean out the gut and restore healthy bacteria to the intestinal track.

I encourage anyone interested in detoxing their body to find a program that best suits your lifestyle. The results may surprise. Detoxing may become part of your new lifestyle toward a healthier body.

Guest post written by Jen Morris, a certified health coach and Pravassa collaborator. Jen will be leading her first group Detox-in-a-Box program with Pravassa in the new year.

Oatmeal Whole Wheat Pancakes

Pravassa — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

As a child I used to love pancakes. My father would make them as a special treat and my aunt would make them into faces for me an my brother to enjoy. As I got older, they seemed more like empty calories that didn't fill me up in the morning. You can imagine my enjoyment when Chef Melissa Petitto presented her newest recipe during our Revitalize Retreat, Oatmeal Whole Wheat Pancakes. Not only is this a healthier option, but it kept me full for most of the day. I can't wait to make them again during this holiday weekend. Enjoy!

Download Chef Melissa's Recipe

You Are What You See

Pravassa — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

We’ve all heard the saying before ‘we are what we eat’, well I believe we are what we see. Day in and day out our minds are distracted by what we see in the world around us, read in the paper, books, magazines, and what we watch on television. There is a sanskrit saying ‘Mana eva manushyanam’ ‘A man is according to his mind’. All of our experiences in the world are mental. Where our attention goes our mind goes.

Recently I visited Times Square and I was so overwhelmed by the lights, the shows, the people. It is an extreme sensory overload to walk around that part of town. I am still not desensitized to the smoke and mirrors of 42nd street even thought I grew up coming here and now live not too far away. I found myself following my friend amidst the sea of tourists with my jaw open and eyes wandering from one brightly light billboard to the next.

Living in a world where there is a constant stream of advertisements and new shiny things our minds are tricked into believing we need more of everything and we must look a certain way. Yet, we are able to limit that influence and we can determine what we let into our sight. Although you can’t change what you see in Times Square you can choose what books you read, what movies you see and which TV shows you watch. We all have our guilty pleasures when it comes to reading, television, and movies - and I am a sucker for bad chick flicks. I admit that it feels great to zone out to mindless sitcoms sometimes.

When I watch too much trashy TV I notice that my mind becomes clouded and well trashy. Whatever we read, watch on TV, or see in the world we internalize and it becomes a part of our reality. Some of us are more impressionable than others, but we are all affected on some level. Violent movies, romantic comedies, dramas, etc. We all relate and take some portion of the television show or book into our daily lives. I like to treat myself to a trashy show every once and a while, but the more I take in, the more my brain goes mush. It is like eating junk food a little bit isn’t bad but as soon as you begin to overdose you feel the negative affects on your body. Too much junk food or trashy television can lead to weight gain, mental fatigue, lack of sleep and motivation.

In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali we learn that yoga is the controlling of the mind. Patanjali describes yoga in the sutra 1.2: Yogas Citta Vrtti Nirodhah (The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is yoga). There are many ways for us to be on this path of yoga and still the fluctuations of the mind. We begin by acknowledging that it is from within us that we are able to control our thoughts and create our lives. A common sanskrit saying ‘Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoho’, ‘As the mind, so the man; bondage or liberation are in your own mind.’ Basically, whatever you think, you manifest. If your attention is on trashy tv that highlights cheating, killing, and stealing as main qualities that is where your mind may go. I admit that I have watched shows like Desperate Housewives, Drop Dead Diva, and Lipstick Jungle. At times after watching too many episodes in a row I have been so personally upset with the cheating and lies in the stories that I have become angered with my fiancée, as if he embodied the liars from the shows. Intellectually I know that is absurd to be upset with someone who has done nothing, but emotionally when my mind is filled with these things from outside sources I allow myself to believe them. Our own minds blind us or liberate us. We have the ability to discover moksha (liberation) and bandha (bondage) within our own minds. If we believe we are bound, we are bound. If we believe we are liberated, we are liberated.

One of the many ways to begin to relieve the mind of negative samskaras (thought patterns) is introduced in sutra 2.33: Vitarka badhane pratipaksha bhavana (When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite [positive] ones should be thought of. This is pratipaksha bhavana.). Basically, to control the mind and obstruct the thoughts that we do not want we invite in the opposite thoughts. Creating a positive environment by controlling the words you read and shows you watch is the practice of pratipaksha bhavana. Removing the negative energy from your vision allows you to bring in the positive that you want to have in your life.

A practice of pratipaksha bhavana that I will be instilling in my life is a 10 day television and movie detox. Lately I’ve been on bad TV overload and need to cleanse my mind. By removing the negative environment for my life I will be bringing in the opposite. I look forward to removing the extra chatter from my life. What can you modify in your life to remove the bandha (bondage) and move towards moksha (liberation)? - Liza Laird

This post originally appeared on MindBodyGreen.