Archive for 2018
Shanti Gowans
As you get older, problems you don’t actively think about, actively make themselves felt whilst getting out of bed, walking up and down the stairs, playing with the dog or your grandchildren, or just dancing to enjoy yourself. These shouldn’t become problems, but as age and chronic health conditions overpower your system, they do. (more…)
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The constitution of a person from conception is known as Prakruti. It is the balanced state, or state of health for a person. (more…)
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Eggplant 4 to 5 medium size
Onions 150 gms
Ginger strips 15 gms
Tomatoes 150 gms, finely chopped
Coriander 1 bunch, finely chopped
Sunflower oil 100 gms
Grind spices together
Green chilli 1
Peppercorns 10
Garlic cloves 2
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Red chilli pwd to taste
Preparation
Grease eggplant and roast them on a medium fire. Remove skin and mash the pulp.
Heat oil in a pan and fry onions until transparent. Add ground spices and ginger strips. Now add mashed eggplant and stir until slightly brown.
Add chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper and chilli to taste and place in a medium oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle coriander as a garnish.
Portion: 8. Temp: 300ºF. Time: 25 mins.
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Leave a Comment (0) →Food for Life is food for health, food as medicine and food to enjoy. Food for Life is a revolutionary cookbook that will help anyone who wishes to feel better, manage their weight and have more energy for living. With exciting traditional and inventive recipes that are so delicious you forget the purpose is good health and nourishment, Shanti Gowans’ philosophy is simple: a healthy gut leads to a healthy body and mind, and a happier you. However, changing the way you eat doesn’t have to involve deprivation. Food is celebratory and can be enjoyed everyday – whether you are home, work, with family or friends, or eating out. (more…)
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Leave a Comment (0) →by Shanti Gowans
In the human body, various anatomical structures and physiological processes have common attributes, and are closely influenced by each other. Such related structures and functions are grouped into three governing principles in Ayurveda. These three psycho-physiological governing factors are called doshas. The Sanskrit names for these three governing factors or doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
VATA
The Vata principle includes the complete nervous system, some aspects of the endocrine glandular system which coordinate the metabolism and most of the sense organs. Vata structures and functions are also responsible for all the communications within the human being as well as the communication with the outer universe. Vata deals with transportation and movements within a person’s body and mind. Vata entities are responsible for the pumping action of the heart, the breathing process in the lungs, the peristaltic movement of the intestines, and all the movements of the bones and muscles.
Vata is also responsible for mental functions such as intuition, imagination, resilience, sensitivity, spontaneity, indecisiveness and emotions such as exhilaration, fear, insecurity and doubt. In lay terms, Vata represents the biological principles of air and space. Vata structures and functions usually have qualities such as dry, cold, light, quick, rough, unstable and subtle.
PITTA
Pitta includes all the digestive enzymes secreted within our gastrointestinal system, the cellular enzymes and the stimulating hormones. Pitta structures and functions are responsible for all the digestion, absorption, assimilation, heat regulation, sweating and metabolism going on in the body and the mind. It also governs skin complexion, visual perception, and the process of understanding.
Pitta dosha is responsible for mental functions such as intelligence, confidence, enterprise, organisation and emotions such as joy, excitement, courage, anger, jealousy and hatred. Pitta may be described as the biological principle of fire and water. The structures and functions of Pitta have qualities such as hot, moist, light, fluid, sour-smelling, sharp and penetrating.
KAPHA
Kapha structures and functions are responsible for the growth, stability, lubrication and storage within the body. Kapha includes the musculoskeletal frame, composition of all joints, the process of tissue building, wound healing and various accumulations. Kapha dosha is also responsible for mental functions such as memory, tranquillity, faith, forgiveness, devotion, and emotions such as love, affection, calmness, patience, sympathy, attachment, greed and lethargy. Those with predominant Kapha are more susceptible to weight gain.
Kapha is the biological principle of water and earth. The Kapha structures and functions have qualities such as heavy, cold, wet, slow, steady, soft, oily, sweet and smooth.
Of all the three governing factors, Vata is fundamentally the most important, in that it coordinates both Pitta and Kapha. Vata govern all the general physical processes. Imbalances in Vata are therefore more serious in nature. Kapha provides the material foundation and support for both Vata and Pitta.
LOCATIONS of VATA, PITTA and KAPHA
The structures and functions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha are spread throughout the body, but in general, Kapha is more predominant in the area above the heart level. Important locations of Kapha are chest, throat, head, nose, sinuses, tongue, stomach, lymph and fat tissues. Within the digestive system, the primary location of Kapha is the stomach.
Pitta is generally more predominant in the area between the heart and the umbilicus. Important locations of Pitta are the small intestine, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, blood and organs of vision. Within the digestive system, the primary location of Pitta is the small intestine.
Vata is generally more predominant in the areas below the umbilicus level. Important locations of Vata are the colon, thighs, hips, bones, ears, and organs of touch. Within the digestive system, the primary location of Vata is the colon.
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Leave a Comment (0) →by Shanti Gowans
The most common Ayurvedic prescription in India today is a gentle but powerful herbal gut-healer called triphala. With origins dating back 6,000 years, Ayurvedic medicine’s ancient healers have understood the importance of the gut or millenea. And they are right. Most medical disorders can be traced back to your gut.
If you don’t keep your gut healthy, you could end up with a condition called ‘Leaky Gut Syndrome’, which can cause many chronic diseases… serious health issues, such as celiac disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.
Sadly, Western medicine barely recognises Leaky Gut Syndrome, even though it afflicts millions of people. A leaky gut can be the source of real discomfort. It often goes hand in hand with multiple allergies, as well as asthma, eczema, headaches, sinusitis, gas, bloating, gastroenteritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Here is how it happens:
The lining of your gut is similar to a fine net, built of just a single layer of cells. It is this barrier that keeps food in your digestive system until it can be broken down safely.
If your gut is healthy, tiny holes in the lining allow nutrients to pass through. This is how your body absorbs vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients.
The problem is, the modern world is hostile to your gut. Antibiotics, steroids and other prescription drugs wipe out the delicate gut microflora in your small intestine. These are the good guys you need to crowd out the “bad bacteria.”
Additionally, and to compound matters, making it worse, a western diet of processed starches, sugars and food additives, such as emulsifiers, feed bad bacteria and break down the integrity of these tiny intestinal holes.
When you have a leaky gut, these tiny holes become misshapen and enlarge. Large undigested food molecules, yeasts, bacteria, toxins and invading pathogens can now flow freely into your bloodstream and damage your body.
If you have allergies, it may be a sign that you have a leaky gut…
Your body treats all that “sewage” as foreign invaders. Gradually, you develop reactions to foods such as milk, cheese, nuts, grains, eggs, and more.
Now, every time you eat these foods, your body launches an immune reaction. This leads to chronic inflammation throughout your body, the root of all chronic disease. But Ayurvedic doctors know exactly how to treat a leaky gut, as well as the diseases and conditions that spring from it. The first choice of medication is a herbal remedy called ‘triphala’. It is named from two Sanskrit words that literally mean ‘three fruits’. Triphala is made by blending the dried and powdered rinds and flesh of amlaki (or Indian gooseberry), haritaki (from the terminalia tree) and bibhitaki (from the bahera tree).
This combination forms a powerful gastric healer and acts as a gentle, safe and highly effective detoxifier for the intestine, colon, blood and liver, and an ancient intervention for constipation.
It is packed with antioxidants such as gallic, ellagic and chebulinic acids, as well as flavonoids and polyphenols with potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal properties. And it is rich in vitamin C. Ayurvedic doctors prescribe it for almost everything gut related and more, from constipation and indigestion to gastroenteritis to cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions, liver and pancreatic disorders and cancer. (A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute confirms that triphala prevents and slows the growth of pancreatic cancer tumors. Studies also confirm triphala can repair the large intestinal holes caused by Leaky Gut Syndrome. It tightens your gut wall and rebalances intestinal mucus, which is key to protecting you from further intestinal attacks).
You can buy triphala powder from Shanti Yoga Health Institute Australia, and simply prepare a soothing cup of triphala tea. Add ½ teaspoon of triphala powder into a cup of hot water. Taken on its own, it can taste very bitter. Try adding a little rice malt/maple syrup and ghee (Indian clarified butter) to the mix. Always take triphala on an empty stomach before meals or at bedtime.
Triphala can also be purchased as a supplement in tablet form or as a liquid extract.
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Leave a Comment (0) →5-17 June 2018. .Ayurveda Cooking Retreat
COOK, TASTE, HEAL
Weekend Retreat. Cert IV & Dip Yoga
Retreat Facilitator: Shanti Gowans
Venue: Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary, Beechmont
Fee: $750 single room accommodation, shared facilities, for 2 nights, 6 meals, program.
16, 17 June 10am – 5 pm
SHIRODHARA, KATI BASTI Practitioner training in Ayurvedic treatments for lower back pain, stress, migraines. Prerequisites: •Basic principles of Ayurveda. •A&P. •Ayurvedic A&P (Can be done on-line) •First Aid. Bookings essential. $1595
23, 24 June. Sat & Sun
CHAIR YOGA FACILITATOR TRAINING
YOGA FOR HEALTHY AGEING FACILITATOR TRAINING
$2995
29 June. Friday 6:30-9:00pm
FELLOWSHIP AND VEGETARIAN DINNER
Spiritual food that brings people together.
$35. Course students $15
6-15 July EXCEPTIONAL WELLBEING
Experience an upgrade in the quality of your life.
– Heal your body. Help it recover from chronic illness, toxicity or poor nourishment and nutrition
– Align your energy centres to improve your emotional and physical wellbeing
– Experience a feeling of calmness, tranquility and bliss
10 days at Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary. From $2980 for twin-share, accommodation, 30 delicious Ayurvedic vegetarian meals, detox medicines, program including yoga, meditation, nature walks, art and so much more.
16 July – 17 Sept. Mon 6:30-7:15pm
BOLLYWOOD DANCE COURSE
10 week term. Includes complementary yoga stretch and tone class Mon 5:30-6:25pm
Fee $195 for 10 week term or $35 casual payment
19 July – 20 Sept Thurs 2-3:15pm
SPEAK, DRAMATISE, IMPROVISE
Build the confidence to free your voice and express yourself with drama games, public speaking and improvisation.
Facilitator: Louise Hall
Fee $295 x 8 sessions or $49 drop-in
20 July, Friday 6:30-9:00pm
FELLOWSHIP ANS VEGETARIAN DINNER
Spiritual food that brings people together.
$35. Course students $15
24 July – 18 Sept. Tuesdays 4-5pm
AYURVEDIC VEGAN-VEGETARIAN COOKING COURSE
$60 per session or $500 for 10 lessons.
27-29 July. Ayurveda Cooking Retreat
COOK, TASTE, HEAL: HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY
Weekend Retreat with Cert IV & Dip Yoga course students
Retreat Facilitator: Shanti Gowans
Venue: Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary, Beechmont
Fee: $750 single room accommodation, shared facilities, for 2 nights, 6 meals, program.
3-5 August 2018,. Fri-Sun. Residential weekend retret
7 POINTS IN MIND TRAINING in Relational intelligence
Silent meditation weekend retreat
Retreat Facilitator: Shanti Gowans
Venue: Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary, Beechmont
Fee: $750 single room accommodation, shared facilities, for 2 nights, 6 meals, program.
17-19 August. Fri-Sun. Residential weekend retreat
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE
Retreat Facilitator: Shanti Gowans
Venue: Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary, Beechmont
Fee: $750 single room accommodation, shared facilities, for 2 nights, 6 meals, program.
25-26 August
PRANAYAMA, THE NEXT LEVEL
Two days of intensive training in understnding and exploring Pranayama.
Fee $2995. Repeat attendance $1595
Sept 7-9, Weekend
FINDING MEANING, PASSION and PURPOSE in the pursuit of happiness
Weekend Retreat. Cert IV & Dip Yoga
Retreat Facilitator: Shanti Gowans
Venue: Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary, Beechmont
Fee: $750 single room accommodation, shared facilities, for 2 nights, 6 meals, program.
Sept 15, 16. Sat, Sun
YOGA NIDRA FACILITATOR TRAINING
Fee: $2995. Repeat stiudents $1595
20, 21 Oct. Sat, Sun 10am-5pm
CHILDREN’S YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
Weekend intensive workshop and tutorial offering all the one-of-a-kind education, methodology and Shanti Yoga resources you need to successfully teach children’s yoga. Learn tools you can use immediately with the children in your life. Tutorial and practicum is free for current Yoga course students.
200 hr course, consisting of 1 non-residential. weekend intensive + 6 months internship. $2995
26-28 October, Weekend
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
Weekend Retreat. Cert IV & Dip Yoga
Retreat Facilitator: Shanti Gowans
Venue: Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary, Beechmont
Fee: $750 single room accommodation, shared facilities, for 2 nights, 6 meals, program.
3,4 November. Sat & Sun, 10am-5pm $2995.
THE POWER OF TOUCH:
Ayurvedic Relaxation Massage, Abhyanga.
Practitioner Training. Prereqsites: Basic principles of Ayurveda. A&P. Ayurvedic A&P. First Aid. Bodies wanted. Please donate to science. $2995
Your Indian Holiday of a Lifetime 2018
3-11 November 2018. 9 days, 8 nights.
North India Golden Triangle
Fee per person
US $2520 twin share accommodation
(approx AUD3340)
US $3528 single traveller accommodation
(approx AUD4671)
11-18 November 2018. 8 days, 7 nights
Kerala, God’s own Country, South India
Fee per person
US $2433 twin share accommodation
(approx AUD3225)
US $3654 single traveller accommodation
(approx AUD4838)
with Shantiji and Peter
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Leave a Comment (0) →In the beginning of the golden age of truth, Satya-yuga, also known as the Krita-yuga, human beings were endowed with divine vitality. Exceedingly faultless and unhampered in their powers, they had direct knowledge. These god-like sages knew the divine law, and the sacrificial rituals. They possessed bodies which were robust, compact and firm, and had clear senses and mind. Thye had good complexions and their speed, strength and power resembled those of the wind. They were free from desire, aversion, infatuation, greed, anger, pride, diseases, laziness, fatigue, languour and the spirit of aquisition. They experienced unlimited longevity. For the benefit of these people with heroic minds, qualities and deeds, their crops were replete with wonderful taste, potency, post digestive effects, specific actions and virtue, because the earth, during the sawn of the golden age was charged to the full with all excellent qualities.
During the latter part of the Satya-yuga, those whe were financially better off ate more and became obese. By over-indulgence this heaviness of body led to lassitude; lassitude gave rise to indolence, indolence created the need of accumulation and necessitated acquisition. The spirit of acquisition engendered greed. The qualities of earth also deteriorated gradually along with the qualities of human beings.
Thereafter, the bodies of human beings failing to receive nutrition as before from the progressively deteriorating quality of food, together with the lack of exercise and adverse effects of exertion, heat and wind, soon succumbed to attacks of fever and other dis-ease. Thereafter, in the second or silver age, known as the Treta-yuga, greed brought malice in its way and led to falsehood; falsehood bred lust, anger, vanity, hatred, cruelty, aggression, fear, grief, anxiety, distress and the like. Consequently in the second age, virtue found itself deprived of a quarter of its plentitude. From this quarterly loss in virtue, there followed a similar deterioration in the duration of the succeeding age and in the beneficial power of the earth and other elements. The consequence of this deterioration led to a corresponding deterioration in the purity, taste, potency, post-digestive effects, specific ation and quality of herbs. In this manner righteousness dwindled in each succeeding age by one quarter, and the proto-elements too suffered silimar deterioration till eventually the world would come to dissolution.
When a hundredth part of the length of an age period is past, then the life span of creatures gets less by one year. This is in reference to the normal determination of life span in a given age. Thus, not following the path of righteousness and not following the dictates of conscience are the root cause of all disease.
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Leave a Comment (0) →– Airport transfer (Brisbane or Coolangatta Airport)
– Treatments as per your constitution
– Ayurvedic detox medicines and treatments for the duration of the program
CALL (07) 5531 0511
Twin-share – 3980
Single room – $4750
Ensuite-twin – $5100
Ensuite-single – $5450
If you can not make this Spring Detox retreat we have 2 more coming up on December 27 – 3 January and from 3 – 10 January.
We very much look forward to working with you, towards your goals for your best health.
For more information please call (07) 5531 0511) or visit shantiyoga.com.au
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