Such a wonderful afternoon at aromatherapy workshop

Had our first aromatherapy workshop with Peter Gosney. He showed us how to make some high quality face cream - mine was made from avocado, camellia, hempseed, jojoba and rosehip oil, benzoin, sandalwood, lemongrass, grapefruit, orange and frankinsense. Everyone of those has its own healing quality.
We all got to take our pots of beautiful face cream home. And a printed booklet crammed full of information and directions.
Not only did we learn how to make our own, we also learnt from Peter's wide knowledge as we asked questions. I am so energised by the afternoon. The ladies were all such fun as well.
Afternoon tea was feta, pine nut and spinach parcels, spiced apple cake with cream or yoghurt and chocolate brownie and fresh garden tea (kawakawa and fresh ginger) and (kaffir lime, fresh lemongrass and ginger) or coffee for those who preferred a coffee fix.

 

quote of day

If instead of a gem or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend that would be giving as the angels give.
George MacDonald

Dalai Lama Visit

A group of us went to Auckland to see the Dalai Lama last Wednesday. It was a wonderful opportunity to see such an amazing spiritual leader. The whole Civic Theatre was packed full, yet throughout the talk, I could have heard a pin drop. It was interesting to listen to other's interpretations of what the Dalai Lama's message was - each of us related to his message in a different way.

What I will take away with me, is that we need to work together globally to be more co-operative, instead of competitively to counter the explosive population increase world wide, poverty and starvation and effects of global warming with many more natural disasters happening. This is such a huge mind set change, that has to happen inside each of our mind's, but at a fundamentally human level, coming from shared consciousness - love and respect for other's cultures and traditions and religions, compassion for other's plights.

He also spoke about how we can cure our physical body with our mind, but we can't cure our mind so easily. We know this with stress manifesting in our lives and causing so many illnesses. Therefore, we need to look after our mind to keep it healthy - with positive thoughts and attitudes which then become habits, behaviour and how we are. Strange how it all comes back to the yogic way of doing things and taking time to get to know ourselves and becoming self -aware. Make choices to slow down and nurture yourself - so we can have good health and longevity and be able to contribute positively to society.

We all thought that his messages were simple, yet profound. We had all heard the same messages before, but somehow we are still thinking about what he said. Wisdom, universal truth, a simple and profound message spoken from the heart.  His message is staying with us and influencing our lives just as one would expect from  the world's leading spiritual master.
 

Benefits of Kombucha Tea

                  

         

The Health Benefits of Kombucha Tea

 

More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Chinese discovered the health benefits of Kombucha tea, and they called it an “immortal health elixir.” Today, this tea has gained recognition around the world as a potent health beverage. Kombucha tea is made from the fermentation of a mixture of sweetened tea and SCOBY, which is a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. It is known to be effective in reducing the risks of certain health problems and promoting overall health.

Detoxifies the Body

One of the most important health benefits of Kombucha tea is that it can detoxify your body. It contains many of the bacterial acids and enzymes that are needed for detoxifying your system, and it can reduce pancreatic load and prevent your liver from becoming overburdened. Regular consumption of Kombucha tea can help you maintain a healthy liver.

Prevents and Treats Cancer

Kombucha tea’s detoxifying properties and its high content of glucaric acid can aid in the prevention and treatment of cancer. One of the more effective ways to fight cancer is to detoxify the body. Some people have managed to overcome cancer by taking detoxifying measures such as maintaining an organic and natural diet, removing products that contain chemicals from their homes and drinking Kombucha tea on a regular basis.
Nobel Prize-winning Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote in his autobiography that his stomach cancer was cured by regular consumption of Kombucha tea. After President Ronald Reagan came to know about the author’s claim, he decided to use Kombucha tea to prevent his cancer from spreading. The president survived his cancer, and he died of old age in 2004.

Reduces Risk of Arthritis

Kombucha tea contains high amounts of glucosamines, which are substances that are needed by your body to maintain healthy joints. Glucosamines work to enhance the production of hyaluronic acid, an acid that can help preserve cartilage structure and reduce arthritic pain. It is known that hyaluronic acid provides pain relief that is comparable to NSAIDs. This acid makes it possible for connective tissues in the body to bind great amounts of moisture, and it facilitates the maintenance of healthy tissue structure as well as the lubrication and flexibility of joints.

Boosts Immune System

Kombucha tea is a beverage that is very rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants can strengthen your immune system and suppress the activities of free radicals that can cause serious damages to your body. Consequently, your body will become less susceptible to infections and illnesses.

Increases Energy Levels

The detoxifying effects of Kombucha tea ensure that the systems in your body will function more efficiently. When all body processes are running smoothly, your energy levels will increase significantly.

Promotes Weight Loss

Another great benefit of Kombucha tea is its ability to improve metabolism. When your metabolism rate is higher, you will be able to lose more weight.

Provides Mental and Emotional Calmness

Kombucha tea also contains certain acids that can calm your body and mind. Regular consumption of the tea can help you overcome stress, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety and other mental and emotional problems.

 

 

   

   

  

 

                   

Why meditate?

Day Retreat coming up

Yoga and reflexology at the beach | Waihi Beach, New Zealand: Sunday Morning Mini Yoga Retreat

'working from within'

Step off the world for a morning.

Treat yourself to a morning of connecting with your inner self and nature through yoga, pranayama and meditation / enjoy a delicious whole earth morning meal with like minded people and be inspired to meditate on a daily basis to enjoy the new you and change your life forever.

The last Sunday of each month

8am to 12 noon

Bookings essential and payment will confirm booking at least one week before retreat.

$75 per person

Limited to 5 people
Yoga on the Beach, Bush or in the Studio (your choice, depending on weather) pranayama / yoga nidra (deep relaxation) / meditation workshop / discussion / practice


Whole earth breakfast –fresh fruit platter / seasonal fruit + homemade granola + yoghurt parfait / freshly baked bread with home made conserves / garden-fresh brewed teas
A guided yoga nidra for deep relaxation


Meditation workshop – discussion, techniques and practice to understand secrets of meditation and feel confident to meditate. Notes are provided. Weather permitting we meditate looking over the ocean in a divinely beautiful setting

Kombucha tea continued

I did have a few peeks during the week. It sat in my hot water cupboard all cosy and nicely covered with muslin and tied with elastic. The culture spread right across the top. On Wednesday a lady at my Jin Shin Jyutsu study group showed me how to split the culture and make the kombucha tea - so helpful. She puts a little piece of raw ginger in it to make it taste more like ginger beer. She also stressed not to handle the culture with hands as it doesn't like oil or fat in any form.

It is real easy to separate - use tongs to get the culture off the top. There will be a new culture growing underneath. Separate (it just slides off) and place old one in glass jar with some of the liquid. This can keep in fridge for friends to start their kombucha tea.
Strain the liquid and bottle. Keep in fridge. For the new lot, make 2 litres of tea and add 3/4 cup of sugar and wait until cold. Then add culture.

It tastes nice - between cidar vinegar and ginger beer. It is recommended to drink just a few tablespoons a day for the first week as it can detoxify your body too fast if you drink too much at first. Next week I will be drinking a small glass 3 times a day.

I do notice no one is queueing up for the culture. Although Hollie, my daughter likes drinking it. Denis, my husband just rolls his eyes!!!