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a neti pot

A few years ago Sumi gave me a gift of a Neti Pot. To be truthful, I winced when I got it. And every so often Sumi would ask whether I was using it or not. Or not was the answer. Sumi studied yoga at Himalaya Institute once upon a time and learned how to use Neti. Now she’s dedicated. I, however, have a different relationship with Neti. The water tends to dribble down the length of my arm, or chin. Water, a little pot and salt – it doesn’t get simpler than that. Right?

A few months ago I was in Garland of Letters on South Street in Phila looking for a CD for someone when out jumped THE NETI POT FOR BETTER HEALTH book by Warren Jefferson. I really didn’t want to get a book on Neti, but felt I had to step up to the plate. So I ended up with that thin Neti book and no CD. And there it sat on my bookshelf. Then Michael, another dedicated Neti user, called and, in the course of the conversation, said that Alicia had a sinus inflammation, was leaving for California on a business trip, and whatever she was doing wasn’t working, so she resorted to Neti with great success. I was happy for Alicia. I couldn’t help wonder though how it is that they’re all pros at using Neti.

In his Neti book Warren Jefferson writes that he’s been using Neti for a few years, that his mother was a smoker, that he grew up with second-hand smoke, and he himself smoked for ten years. Because of this he’d been having respiratory problems (asthma, stuffy nose, and hay fever). He wrote that as he continues using Neti these problems are greatly reduced. He writes that Neti has a long history in the East and with all the toxins, and now chemical pollution worldwide, it makes perfect sense to use saline nasal irrigation to detoxify. I’ll list a few of the benefits from his thin Neti book:

removal of debris from the nose
relief of hay fever, runny nose and itchy eyes
increase general health of respiratory system
drains sinuses
creates proper conditions for the nose to do its work
improves sense of smell
helps treat certain ear infections
cools and soothes
using the Neti has a spiritual aspect

This thin Neti book answers many concerns, e.g. Sinusitis, Nose Blowing and Sinusitis, Swollen Inferior Turbinate, Bacterial Resistance, Hay Fever, Nasal Polyps, and at the end of the book he discusses Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, and he offers a list of resources: Neti Pot, Salt & Nasal Wash Sources, Medical Resources, and Other Useful Sources. It’s not just about Neti.

I like simple, so I’ll relate one thing from the this Neti book: “Swedish scientists discovered that “humming increases ventilation of the sinuses.” It was found that “humming sped up the exchange of air between the sinuses and nasal cavity. This may be one of the benefits of chanting Om.”

Tomorrow is another day. I’ll be with my Neti Pot, water and salt practicing so that I can do it like them. And you know who them are. If not, Neti and I will have to find our way to EastWest where there’s a Neti Pot demonstration Mondays – Fridays, Free in the Cafe! I see I’m not the only one who needs help. www.eastwestnyc.com

See you there?

Thank you for Neti, Sumi. I’m trying

www.himalayaninstitute.org/Netipot/NetiPotGateway.aspx
www.oprah.com/health/oz/oz_20070426_350_106.jhtml

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looking outside the box

Kevin Trudeau’s book, NATURAL CURES “THEY” DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT, has sold over 10 million copies. It’s a #1 New York Times Bestseller. It’s also an eye opener. Have you read it? I started to last week.

That said, I don’t want to become a bore again. I used to talk to friends about this ‘n that way of doing things regarding healing, and I got weary of seeing their eyes roll way up into their sockets. Now I understand that just because I like the subject doesn’t mean everybody does. I think I’ve corrected that fault because sometimes a friend will say, “You knew that and didn’t tell me? And I’ll say, “Yes, because you, my friend, gave me the hairy eyeball whenever I talked about looking outside the box for anything having to do with healing body mind spirit.”

There’s magic out there and at times we need to look outside the box, or as someone said, “Get rid of the box.” It’s that simple.

Imagine!

 

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oprah and eckhart and a 10-week online web event

Eckhart Tolle’s book A NEW EARTH: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose was announced as new pick for Oprah’s Book Club, and together Oprah and Eckhart will have online Web classes in order to study A NEW EARTH, “. . . but not as an academic subject or in order to acquire new theories or beliefs.” www.eckharttolle.com

Oprah’s worldwide classroom begins on Monday, 3 March, at 9/8c. It’s a free Web event. You can reserve a seat and find out what you need for the first class at www.oprah.com

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seth, a book; gary renard, more books

After reading SETH SPEAKS and now up nights reading THE NATURE OF PERSONAL REALITY, two books channeled by Jane Roberts, I’ll say this, it’s all really, really intriguing. There was a time when I’d hesitate to talk about a book that was channeled. That’s changed. The information in these books can only enhance one’s life and death. The thing is that this kind of information contributes immensely to a life lived consciously and powerfully, and a death of peace and joy. And besides, if we really sat and pondered all those other things we were taught that tend to stretch the imagination, well, why not this also. www.sethcenter.com

As I walked along South Street recently trying to figure out the lay of the Philadelphia land, I came across the bookshop Garland of Letters at 527 South Street. In front to the side of the entrance were a stack of magazines. I took the one called EVOLVE, and glanced inside. I hadn’t heard of “international best selling author” Gary Renard before reading his article in the magazine. He wrote about A Course in Miracles, forgiveness, death, the Mayan calendar, changes in the world, and there’s more. www.garyrenard.com It would seem that checking out this author can only be a good thing. And he talks about his ‘ascended masters,’ Arten and Pursah. Oh, yes.

In the book SETH SPEAKS Seth also talks about 2012 not being the end of the world, and he elaborates beautifully on what’s to come. www.sethlearning center.org . Gary Renard has a somewhat similar view about this topic which many were concerned about as the 21 century approached.

It’s a sunny, fairly warm day here. Hope it’s that way for you. Enjoy!

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an oprah show on hoarding

Alicia recorded an Oprah show about hoarding, and we watched it when I was in Raleigh. I wasn’t expecting it to be as interesting as it was. What was I thinking? If it’s on Oprah it’s interesting. This is the story of a couple; the woman is the hoarder, although her husband had a touch of hoarding in him, too. An organizational expert, Peter Walsh, went to the couple’s 3,000 square foot house with “a team of 6 professionals” to begin the process of removing the 75 tons of accumulated stuff. Peter said black mold was found “which can cause a variety of health problems.” Needless to say, watching the cleanup process was rather shocking, and the intereaction between the couple and Peter was interesting. I had no idea things could get so out of control in the life of a hoarder. www.oprah.com
Peter Walsh wrote a book, IT’S ALL TOO MUCH. He seems to be a compassionate, kind, and understanding person. And from the way he handled the 75 tons of stuff, it must be a good book. www.orgjunkie.com

Not long after the show I saw a book at a friend’s house titled LILLIAN TOO’S 168 WAYS TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME. I copied a little part of it. Perhaps you’ll find it informative, especially if you’re a hoarder or know someone who is. I saw this on page 50-51: “Many people leave unpaid bills, unfiled letters, faxes, and other documents unattended to for weeks and even months. This sort of paper clutter languishing on desk tops, tables, and shelves, at home or at work, can be the source of much worry. The effect is subliminal, impinging on the subconscious mind and activating worry cells that may lead to migraines, stress, and tension. The physical body can be affected and so can the spirit.”
www.lillian-too.com

Whew! It was a good show.

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gabriel cousens and diabetes….

If you have diabetes, or know anyone who does, run to the nearest news stand and pick up the November/December issue of Spirituality&Health Magazine. Gabriel Cousens, M.D. and Helen Ross, M.D. “cured” people in a 30-day retreat using raw foods. They did this at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona, a place having an excellent reputation – a place and person (Gabriel Cousens) David Wolfe highly recommends. Page 58 of the magazine says “. . . results of this diet were stunning: . . . . ” and “It’s not just diabetes,” says Dr. Cousens, “Everything went back to normal.” People rediscovered their happiness. www.spiritualityhealth.com and www.treeoflife.nu This is not an isolated case. The article goes on to say that he has “supervised the reversal of diabetes in dozens of patients, . . . .”

If, through the years, I hadn’t read of Gabriel Cousens and his solid reputation, I’d hesitate to post this. I’ve great faith in the raw food lifestyle, and know from first-hand experience the power of raw foods. There are people who have distain for this way of eating, but it’s like everything else in life, we make choices and sometimes we are very satisfied with the choices and at other times they’re simply not for us. Listening to opinions without having first-hand experience, however, hardly gives us the taste of the experience. When we first begin to change the way it’s always been for us, it’s tough going. The thrill is looking back to where we once were and thinking how ridiculous we were not to have seen how the choices we made were bringing us down. That’s the thrill, along with all the amazing things that occur in the process of getting to a better place.

The above information on diabetes is part of an article by Matthew Kenney, titled, The Chef Who Perfected Un-Cooking How this superstar chef became a devotee of raw veggies. Matthew Kenney is the creator of more than a dozen restaurants around the country. . . ” He trained in Italian kitchens, and went to the French Culinary Institute. His restaurant company “collapsed” after 11 September 200l,” and it was during this time of picking up the pieces and concentrating on getting “my mind and body back into good condition,” that he was introduced to a raw food restaurant. And you know what happened after that.

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The Funk

Emi speaks: I think I have the funk! You know what I am talking about when the season changes from glorious fall to yucky winter. Everyone around me seems to have had it, had it, or is getting it.

I keep blaming it on allergies but I know it’s more than that. My head is killing me, sinuses are a mess and draining, and I feel sluggish and just down right yucky!

Even my exercising doesn’t seem to be warding the funk off this year! It seems like people at the gym are all getting sick too — maybe that is where I contracted this funk. Thank goodness Michael and Sebastian are doing ok.

I probably just wore myself down too much by staying up late playing boggle and that did me in.

Well to those out there that have the funk… rest up, drinks lots Qof fluids, and take your vitamins… for me it will be lots of vegging out on top of that and NYQUIL! 

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My First Post on this thing called a Blog

What is the meaning of blog anyways… ok this is my first post and I feel like I need to write something life altering.  We have just finished a wonderful Thanksgiving in NC. I definitely ate way too much — need to look for redemption. I am hoping burn off the extra calories at my spin classes this week.

I think I definitely have an obsessive personality. I tend to get very addictive. I have definitely developed an addiction to spinning classes at O2 Fitness.  That is a smaller gym in Raleigh, NC www.o2fitnessclubs.com  I think what makes the classes fun are the other people in the class with you and the instructor. I definitely have my favorite teachers – Chrissy & Brandon are awesome. I love Casey’s music and Hadara is great too on Tues.  Ok, back to my obsessive (addictive) personality.  I even went as far as to buy special cycling shoes that actually lock you on to the bike.  When I went to the Biking store www.trekraleigh.com the sales guy asked me what type of bike I had and I said that I didn’t.  So I am the nutty customer that buys shoes for a bike that doesn’t go anywhere. I am sure since I started classes this past January, I have probably biked at least 1000 miles or more. I mean when I go out of town I miss class and get stressed if I have to miss class. With that being said I am not going this evening since it is the last night my mother in law is going to be in town and we are spending time together.  I am thinking I will feel guilty but I am thinking that it will be ok…. At least my spinning addiction has gotten me back into shape since the baby. That process is in a whole other blog post.

At least to my benefit this addictive behavior does not include drinking or drugs or smoking. Ironic it tends to be good things for me.

This past weekend I discovered you can play Boggle online with other people…. totally addictive. You definitely must try… if you think you are a good Boggler, think again, once you go to the site www.weboggle.shackworks.com you will see how crazy good these people are. You can also sign in with interesting usernames. Some people are political with their names and others are just down right funny… one that I remember to be funny was “Dumpling Running Man”.  I challenge you to try the site out. Beware though… I was stuck playing until 3 am Thanksgiving day evening because I was on a mission to be #1… still not there yet. I feel this draw to play when I get near a computer… It is amazing that I am actually on a computer and doing something else.

Ok so there are two examples of my crazy addictive behavior. I am curious if anyone else shares my afflictions. – Alicia

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omega in rhinebeck, ny

The Omega catalog has page after page of, I was going to say workshops, seminars, courses, but what they really offer are all kinds of people teaching all kinds of things that will stretch you mind, body and spirit in all kinds of ways. There, that’s what I really want to say. Omega is located in Rhinebeck, NY, and today I settled in with the summer catalog and decided to randomly pull out pages from the catalog. It’s a bit late to be looking at the summer catalog, but that’s how life is at times. However, it’s good to get an idea of what there is because they’ll come a time when it’ll be the perfect time to be in Rhinebeck, NY attending to body, mind, spirit. It’s good to be prepared.

I’ve listed what we’ve missed just to give an idea of what was and will be and what is now at Omega:

Your Body Speaks your Mind
Deb Shapiro “In this workshop, we discover the extraordinary relationship between the mind and body with the author of the United Kingdom’s best-selling book, YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND.” (This couse was in May, but the book is available and the website: www.edanddebshapiro.com)

Prophecy & Transformation 2012: The Return of the Quetzalcoatl
Daniel Pinchbeck – “According to the Mayan calendar, we are in an accelerated time of transition, experiencing a transformation of human consciousness as we approach the year 2012, the end of the Mayan Great Cycle of 5,125 years. This will bring about, Daniel Pinchbeck writes in his provocative best-selling book, 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, ‘the conclusion of a vast evolutionary cycle, and the potential gateway to a higher level of manifestation.’ ” (this course was in June, there’s always the book and perhaps a future time)

Meditation, Visioning & the Music of Your Soul
Michael Bernard Beckwith, originator of the Life Visioning Process, a time-tested technique offering a method for putting a stop to being a passive tourist in your life, and Rickie Byars Beckwith, an intuitive channel of healing music. (this course was in June. Here are the websites of: Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, www.agapelive.com and Rickie Byars Beckwith, www.rickiebyars.com)

The Inner Truth of Tarot
Mary Greer and Rachel Pollack, “What we know as tarot today developed in Renaissance Italy and grew out of card games that made their way from China through the Middle East to Europe before 1400. Because of their exposure to many cultures, the symbolic pictures on the cards contain ideas and teachings from many sourcs, including the mystery schools of ancient Egypt, the kabbalah, mythology, and the various mysteries of death and rebirth.” . . . “Mary Greer’s Tarot for Yourself and Rachel Pollack’s 78 Degrees of Wisdom are often cited as the two indispensable texts for any tarot reader. Between them, Mary and Rachel have more than 70 years of experience as tarot readers and teachers.” (this course was in June, website: www.rachelpollack.com)

The Journey Through Cancer & The Seven Levels of Healing
Jeremy Geffen, M.D. is a board-certified medical oncologist, a pioneer in integrative medicine and oncology, and author of the highly acclaimed book, The Journey Through Cancer. He also has more than 30 years of experience exploring the great spiritual and healing traditions of the world. (this course was October 5-7, however, note the book and website: www.geffenvisions.com)

A Yoga Gathering for Black People
Roots, Rhythm & Soul
“This is the first gathering of black people at Omega that focuses on the potential impact of yoga on health, race, and the politics of being black in America.”
Maya Breuer, R.Y.T., www.mayabreuer.com
Swami Dinndayal N. Morgan, www.yogidinndayal.com
Yirser Ra Hotep, M.A., www.yogaskills.com

RUMI The Way of Passion Celebrating Rumi’s 800th Birthday OCTOBER 26-28, Course 5702-890/Tuition $325
Andrew Harvey, www.andrewharvey.net
Fariba Enteshari, www.rumiedu.com
Coleman Barks, www.colemanbarks.com
David Darling, www.daviddarling.com
When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.-RUMI

OMEGA Teen Camp,
Includes: Creative Arts, Nature & Wilderness, Dance, Sports, Funky Alternative, Evening Activities, Music/Drama
“Omega Teen Camp is a program for teenagers, ages 13-17, designed to help them discover a more peaceful, joyful, and positive way to live in the world. In a safe and loving community, teens learn about themselves while making deep and meaningful connections with others. At Omega Teen Camp, teenagers strengthen their self-esteem and learn to express their own individual power while having the time of their lives.” www.omegateencamp.org (ponder this for summer 2008)

Omega has rest & rejuvenation retreats. And also a chance to: “Join our seasonal staff in our work exchange program. Here you can work and grow with a supportive, diverse group of people from around the country and the world.” www.eomega.org for an application or call 845-266-4444, ext. 304

Omega Online: In 2007, Omega created “an entirely new online experience at www.eomega.org. Our Media Works department will be presenting audio and video clips of some of our most renowned faculty sharing thought-provoking commentary on the issues of the day that affect our lives and our planet.”

And so, this is a short list of all that we missed, and didn’t miss in the form of books and websites. So many yoga classes, incredible teachers, courses having the power to transform body, mind and spirit.

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a cough

My friend has a cough, a dry, unrelenting kind of cough. It’s the kind of cough that leaves her feeling okay at home, but the minute she steps outside it seems to yell for attention. I had it once for a long time years ago. I know this cough. Since then I’ve found (well, actually I didn’t find it, someone told me about it) a product that’s able to beat down a cough for once and for all, and a cold and the flu. It’s good to know that there’s a natural remedy available for anyone who needs it. I almost hesitate to pass the name along because your know what can happen. When you want it, you can’t find it. Since that’s not a nice way to be, I’ll pass it along. Besides, there’s always more than one great, natural product around. We live in a creative universe, and we’ll find it, if we need it.

Quantum Cold & Flu Formula is its name, phone number: 845-246-1344, and its email address is: info@quantumherbalproducts.com. And the brochure states that it’s, “The World’s Most Effective Herbal Concentrates,” and that “Quantum’s liquid concentrates are made by people, not machines. They are hand-crafted in small batches in an exclusive alchemic process, not mass-produced as most tinctures are.” The best way to know is from experience, not that I’m wishing a dry, unrelenting cough on you, but just in case, it’s good to know that Quantum Cold & Flu Formula is available at a health food store. And my friend with the cough? This is where we part ways. She’s off to the drug store. It’s all about choices. Isn’t that Right?

Also, to help us along, is Louise Hay’s book, “HEAL YOUR BODY.” In it she gives us the “mental equivalents” for a cold, cough and flu. www.louisehay.com

Colds Too much going on at once. Mental confusion, disorder. Small hurts. “I get three colds every winter” type of belief.

Coughs A desire to bark at the world. “See me! Listen to me!

Influenza Response to mass negativity and beliefs. Fear. Belief in statistics.

We’ve nothing to lose and maybe lots to gain from these explanations. Here’s to our health.