BlissBlissBliss

How The Tastes Found in Food Affect Our Emotions: Tips for Ayurvedic Lifestyles

staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:40:05 +0000

By lauren Stinespring & Elizabeth Halliday-Reynolds

In a physical sense we grasp easily that We Are What We Eat.

We also know that food can bring about strong and intense emotions of pleasure, happiness, even guilt.

We relate to food and the ancients understood that we relate at the deepest level of the body… They have documented in Ayurveda, that even the interaction of tastes and emotions affect us (at the subtle and gross levels).

In Ayurveda food has an emotional energy and that emotional energy maps to your Dosha.

Tastes and Corresponding Emotion

Sweet – Satisfaction (though overindulgence leads to greed
Sour – Evaluating what you want to process (overindulgence leads to envy and jealousy)
Salty – Enhances appetite or zest for life. overindulgence leads to hedonism (craving to much pleasure)
Pungent – Excitement and Stimulation (overindulgence leads to overexcite, impatience, anger)
Bitter – Face reality (to much dissatisfaction leads to grief)
Astringent – Introversion (to much causes contraction (anxiety, fear)

So to plug in our dosha examples we understand that if you are Kapha, sweet, sour and salty foods in excess will increase what may already come easy to you (satisfaction, indulgence and appetite for life). Your focus in finding balance would be to stimulate your digestion (and thoughts) with pungent spices, and bitter/astringent foods. This is a concept of bringing about balance that is so essential to our daily living.

Hot, pungent, sour, these are the characteristics of Pitta. So they would be nourished by opposites, foods that bring a sense of satisfaction to their hard driving nature (sweet foods), bitter tastes help also as do a focus on astringent to bring them inward (vs. the outward “go go go”).

Vata would choose sweet (bring them satisfaction vs. flitting from one thing to another), salty (to really enjoy this moment NOW) and sour (again be present).

Taste and emotion are identical forces on different planes of existence, that Taste is to the body what emotion is to the mind. An emotion that appears in the mind tends ot porduce in the body its corresponding Taste, just as Taste when ingested tends to create in the mind its corresponding emotion. –Dr Robert E. Svoboda

Follow this link to let us know you are coming to the next Ayurveda & Lifestyle class with Lauren & Elizabeth. This class covers ayurvedic concepts to suit every body as well as mantra, meditation and yoga!

Using St. John’s Wort Oil During Labor and Birth

staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:09:47 +0000

By Heidi Sherwin, RYT, P-RYT

The plant St. John’s wort (Hypericum) may be known best for its herbal remedy for mild depression and regulating moods. However, when used in the form of essential oil, St. John’s wort can offer topical pain relief to mamas-to-be during labor and birth.

The healing properties of St. John’s wort qualifies it as a natural first-aid remedy due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities. If a laboring woman is suffering from muscle or nerve pain, especially in association with back labor, the essential oil can be massaged onto the achy regions of her body. Favorite zones for massage may include (but are definitely not limited to!): sacrum and lower back, outer hips, thighs, neck, and shoulders. In some cases St. John’s wort oil has been reported to lessen the intense sensation associated with birthing the baby’s head when applied to the mother’s perineum during this stage of birth. The essential oil can also promote perineum healing post-birth in the occurrence of tearing or incision.

Although St. John’s wort will not diminish the awesome discomfort of uterine contractions and crowning (sorry Mamas-to-be!), it can definitely help ease peripheral aches and pains as one rides the waves of labor and welcomes her baby into the world. So when preparing your goody bag for birth, make sure to include a small bottle of St. John’s wort oil.

* As always, it is important to share any herbal remedy use with your care provider to make sure that the herb does not interact with medications you may be taking. We have a book at Bliss next to the essential oils that does help document some know herb/drug interactions.

May Partner Yoga: Mary Jo Partners with Michael Garber

staff — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:47:15 +0000

By Mary Jo Schick

Join us at BlissBlissBliss on select Friday afternoons for the fun and the fascination of Partner Yoga (4:30-5:30pm).

Partner yoga is a modern twist on an ancient practice. By working with a partner you can stretch deeper and more effectively into poses – sometimes with less physical effort on your part, giving you insight into the full potential of a pose before you can achieve it on your own. It also fosters a deep sense of trust and connection – your experience is literally in each other’s hands (or feet, or back, or….)!

I love Partner Yoga. My Husband and I run allot. Learning how to assist each other with these stretches has really helped our performance. Ben & Liz

Partner Yoga is most compatible with someone of similar size and ability; but sometimes the fun (and learning) is in adapting poses to fit a variety of sizes and abilities.

… took a partner yoga class with my 9 Year old! We had so much fun! Bliss Client 2010 Class

The human body is able to sense proper force and support, to mold and adjust – making it the ideal “prop”. It is a fun, lighthearted, exploratory practice; and complements any style of individual Hatha yoga practice. Remembering and visualizing assists from Partner Yoga takes you deeper into poses when practicing alone. Appropriate for all levels of yoga experience; bring your own partner, or pre register if you need one.

Remember: If you do not have a friend, family member or partner, wanting to take this class with you, contact Mary Jo Schick (maryjo@theblissblissbliss.com) about your participation in this class. If you would enjoy a different time for this class let her know this too.

Price: Use your yoga pass

Partner yoga Schedule for April, May and June

Friday, April 13 4:30-5:30PM with Instructors Mary Jo Schick and Laura Blanciforte

Friday, May 11 4:30 – 5:30PM with instructors Mary Jo Schick and Michael Garber

Friday, June 15 4:30-5:30PM with instructors Mary Jo Schick and another to be announced

Friday, June 29 4:30-5:30PM with instructors Mary Jo Schick and Laura

See our schedule for all current classes. — See our workshop schedule for all current events.

May BodyWork Specials – Our Open Hearts & Hands!

staff — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:04:27 +0000

Tonya Madea Reiki Master
Guests normally pay $70 for a Reiki session Through May 14 schedule a Reiki session with Tonya and pay our 12 in a year member price of $49. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well being.

Laura Blanciforti Yoga Teacher
Guests normally pay $70 for a Yoga Private. Through the end of may Laura is offering a $15 off discount to guest for a Yoga Private($55). Want a second yoga private with her? Get a second session for $49(a $21 savings!). Yoga Privates give clients the opportunity to work with a teacher in a one on one setting. The session can be targeted to your needs. When you book a yoga private, you are invited to invite one person to share your session with no extra cost.

Welcome Erin Nolin Massage Therapist
We are thrilled to welcome Erin Nolan to our Bliss family. And she is thrilled to be with us. She is so thrilled so much that she is offering through May 15 the opportunity for any Bliss Guest to pay member prices for her services. This means $49 for a Swedish Massage or $75 for Deep Tissue. This is a perfect opportunity to sooth those muscles you have been using with your spring training or gardening!

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 13. We offer an extremely easy way to order gift certificates instantly online. Print a certificate instantly or choose to have us send you our keepsake copy.

To book with any of us, go to our schedule page and book directly or scroll down that page and use our handy e-mail form to send us a request.

May Guest Teacher From Ohio Offers Class At Bliss

staff — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:38:13 +0000

By Elizabeth Halliday-reynolds

Mark your Calendar! Guest teacher Clyde Chafer will be visiting BlissBlissBliss on Saturday May 19.

Clyde Chafer presents: Long, Slow, Deep into Ecstasy 5/19 1:00-3Pm $30 advance notice / $35 at the door.

I met Cylde during a Yoga Teacher Training Retreat this past February. He was invited there to be part of our training program and I assure you that what Clyde will be offering at Bliss is an amazing experience. In Clyde’s class you will experience yoga like never before. Think of a delightful gift to yourself of part hatha, part yin, part restorative. I attribute not being sore after an intense yoga teacher training weekend due to Clyde’s Class. Note: You do not need to be an experienced yogi to enjoy this class. This will be slow and lots of work on the mat. No jumping around but you will safely stretch like never before.

Who should come? Anyone who is willing to carve out some time to be in their body! Athletes, desk workers, moms, dads, young people, old people…in other words YOU.

Can you tell I am excited about this class?

You can sign up for this class on paper in the yoga rooms at bliss, You can also sign up using our scheduling tool. All who sign up prior to the day of the event will get the early register rate. To signing up on Schedulicity: Scroll for Guest Teacher in our schedulicity class booking tool.

BlissBlissBliss Guest Teacher Schedule 2012

staff — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:54:16 +0000

By Elizabeth Halliday-Reynolds
We Love offering the opportunity to experience ALL KINDS OF YOGA. More details soon on these guest teachers. Mark your calendars and show your support by signing up now!

May
5/19 Clyde Chafer Long, Slow, Deep into Ecstasy 1:00-3:30Pm / $30-$35 at the door

June
For the massage therapist/Body/Energy Worker
Continuing Education Provider Susan Walsh Presents Champissage & Kansa Vatki Foot Massage in June

Champissage (Indian Head Massage) on June 16-18 (21 CEs). $395
Kansa Vatki Foot Massage June 19 (7 CEs) $195

Note: Registration for these classes are through Susan. She cannot travel to Morgantown without a minimum number of students enrolled by May 22. To register see her website. More information elizabeth@theblissblissbliss.com

July
7/15 Kendell Romanelli Chakra Flow 3:00-5PM $25
7/29 Richard Gardner Yoga For Runners & Cyclists 4:00-6PM / $25-$30 at the door

August
8/19 Gretchen Dudek Engaging the Core During Back Bending 10:30-12:30PM $40 or $70 both classes (Bonus…Yoga Alliance Education Credit)
8/19 Gretchen Dudek The Art of back bending: how it applies to all asana 2:00-4:00PM / $40 or $70 both classes (Bonus…Yoga Alliance Education Credit)

September
9/15 Joanne VandenHengel Refining Adjustments and Assisting Workshop 10:30-1:30PM / $TBA (Bonus…Yoga Alliance Education Credit)

October
10/7 Richard Gardner 4:00-6PM Yin Yoga Primer $25-$30 at the door

November
11/3 Joanne VandenHengel A Journey of Light Into Love- Meditation on the Sutras 10:30-2:30PM / $TBA (Bonus…Yoga Alliance Education Credit)
11/9 Max Strom A life Worth Breathing 6:00-8PM $45 – $55 at the door

Are you interested in becoming a yoga teacher? How about taking your personal yoga practice further? We offer Yoga teacher training at Bliss. Joanne offers Yoga Alliance approved Yoga Teacher Training with a highly flexible training program designed for working professionals. Contact Joanne VandenHengel at (joannevandenhengel@gmail.com)to find out when her next session starts.

Note: Our Guest Teachers are listed as Bliss Instructor in Schedulicity (not by their name). To sign up for a class with a guest instructor:
Go to theblissblissbliss.com/schedule page
Toggle for classes in the Schedulicity Services | Classes box
Toggle for Classes
Type in “Bliss Instructor” in the “find a service or class” search box.
Classes are sorted by Date.

Interested In Taking Yoga Teacher Training?

staff — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:13:52 +0000

By Joanne Vandenhengel

Are You interested in being a Yoga Teacher? Perhaps you are wanting to deepen your personal practice?
I would love to consider you for my Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Teacher Training program.

We are compiling an interest list and we could start a class at Bliss as early as September. The schedule we have used in the past at Bliss has been 8 or so long weekends over a 10 month period. I love offering this training at BlissBlissBliss because it is a wonderful and supportive community of students and teachers.

To find out more about me and the 3rd Street Yoga Training Program review my web site.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask my assistant at Bliss Heidi (heidi@theblissblissblisss.com), or contact me at 412.849.5227 / joannevandenhengel@gmail.com.

A good way to meet me in person is by attending the Bliss Friday Night 6PM Happy Hour Yoga classes when I am already in town for training (May 4, and June 1st). You can meet the current trainees and perhaps stay after the yoga class for some of the training session, you are very welcome.

I look forward to meeting you .

Namaste,
Joanne

The Power Hour: What Is It And How Can I Be Part Of That?

staff — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:25:31 +0000

Starting in May!

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday we invite you to join us for The Power Hour at 4:30.
We also offer a Power Yoga class on Sundays at 3PM.

Monday Power Vinyasa with Allison Kettering (this class is on the schedule now!)
Wednesday Power Yoga with Mary Jo Schick (this class is on the schedule now!)
Friday Power Vinyasa with Allison Kettering (starts May 4!)
and select Fridays (May 11, 4:30PM) bring your partner and FEEL the AMAZING Power of Partner Yoga.
Sunday Power Vinyasa with Allison Kettering (starts May 6!)

Sign up for these classes on schedulicty. The benefit is that should a class be cancelled you will get a text or e-mail right away!
To sign up for Allison’s Classes
To sign up for Mary Jo’s Classes

PS.. We love Yoga at Bliss! Have you Guessed?
We love how it makes us feel, how we remember to breath, to be in our bodies to feel our bodies. To stretch! Yum. Come try it. So fun!

DoTerra Lotus Essential Oil Diffuser – Classy with Quality

staff — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:56:57 +0000

by DoTerra

If you are looking for a beautiful way to diffuse essential oils in your home/living/office space the DoTerra Lotus diffuser is a premium choice.

BlissBlissBliss is offering select DoTerra products because of their quality and the fact that their essential oils are organic and processed in such a way that oils can be safely ingested. This is very essential to the ayurvedic philosophy that we do not want to put anything in or on our bodies that we cannot digest. ” Elizabeth Halliday-Reynolds

This elegant aroma diffuser is distinct from the traditional aromatherapy items. Below you will find its advantages and benefits.

What Happens with a diffuser:By enabling a complete combination of natural water and botanic essential oil through the effect of supersonic wave, this product breaks up essential oil into extremely fine micro-particles and releases the active ingredients within, bringing about the natural pharmaceutical effect of aromatherapy by way of human respiratory tract and realizing excellent functionality of enhancing health claming and soothing anxiety and beautifying and moisturizing skin.

You do want a diffuser that does not heat the oils, as heating can damage their healing properties. — Elizabeth

The Engineering: Driven by ultrasonic waves at a frequency of 1,600,000 times, dissolves the 100% pure essential oils into micro particles of 5 um diameter and releases aroma mist. Disperses therapeutic properties of essential oils without use of heat or candle resources, very safe, no fire or carbon dioxide suffocation caused and fully retain the original element of essential oil, pure natural and healthy, complied with international environmental standard.

Ingenious and exquisite design by German designers, a combination or orient and western cultures and modern science and technology.
Built-in water level sensor, automatic shut off when water reaches minimum level.
Soft LED light in blue creates a peaceful and romantic atmosphere.
Economical: only 3-5 drops of essential oil with 70ml water, works for 30-60 minutes
Applicable water: Tap water or mineral water at room temperature
Completely combines natural water and pure essential oils through ultrasonic waves without the use of heat (Essence of the oils is not destroyed with heat & No fire danger
No carbon dioxide generation
Easily covers a 300 square foot room
Beautiful design includes a soft light
Easy to use (Front panel rotates down to add water and oils)
Easy control allows either continuous or intermittent operation & Automatically shuts off if water level becomes too low

This diffuser is durable! I knocked it off my bed table 3 times and it is still fine! Bliss Client and DoTerra Fan

PS you can purchase the DoTerra Diffuser at Bliss or have it shipped directly to your home/office by ordering at this website.

How The Elements Found in Food Affect Our Dosha: Tips for Ayurvedic Lifestyles

staff — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:55:29 +0000

By Lauren Stinespring & Elizabeth Halliday-Reynolds

When we talk about body types in Ayurveda we begin to understand that we are all made up of all of the elements: Fire, water, earth, air and ether. As individuals, we are born with a individual constitution with more of some elements and less of others.

Vata: A person with a high Vata dosha will have earth, water, fire in their make up but much more ether and air.
Pitta: A person with a high Pitta dosha will have ether, air and earth, but much more fire and water.
Kapha: A person with a high Kapha in their dosha will have fire, ether and air, but much more earth and water.

The nature of the universe was patterned from the five elements and their six original tastes. Each body type is nurtured by three of these tastes: the three that are not of its own nature. –Maya Tiwari

Each dosha does well to eat what they have less prominent in their make up. The principle of like increases like is inherent in Ayurveda.

Some Examples:
So if you are high Pitta you begin to look at foods that are like you (fire and water) and stay away from those tastes that would match your nature (hot, pungent, sour). Pitta is nourished by sweet, bitter, astringent with a focus on foods that have a cooling effect or energy.
Because Kapha are naturally cool and sweet (think earth and watery), they do well with the pungent, bitter, astringent tastes and also choose foods and spices that are warming and drying in nature. They would avoid the sticky, sweet stuff and the watery soups and the earthy dairy and moistening grains.
Vata would avoid foods that mimic their nature such as arid, cold, bitter and instead support that nature with moist, smooth, warm, sweet, salty and sour.

Follow this link to let us know you are coming to the next Ayurveda & Lifestyle class with Lauren & Elizabeth