Mind Body Messenger
Issue #39, September 2006

Keeping Up With Heather

Hello Friends,
I hope that this newsletter reaches you all happy and healthy and enjoying the start to September. Here in North America, September is a time of renewal – the kids are back to school, holidays are over, and it is a great time to start back into our personal growth programs. To help inspire you to greater health, vitality, and personal development, there are some amazing new films, many of which are being screened at the Toronto and/or Cannes film festivals, and I thought they were all worthy of a mention here in the Messenger. Happy viewing, and please do send in your reviews for upcoming issues!
Namaste,
Heather

Peaceful Warrior – This film is based on the best-selling book by Dan Millman, “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior”, which is one of the most highly recommended books in the world of personal development and spirituality. Now available at most independent theatres, and hopefully soon in wide release! For more visit www.thepeacefulwarriormovie.com

Conversations With God – Another new film based on a best-selling book on modern day spirituality, Conversations with God the movie begins its release today! “Frustrated, alone and tired of life’s letdowns, Neale Donald Walsch (played by Henry Czerny) writes an angry letter to God. Much to his surprise, God answers back.” For more visit www.cwgthemovieonliine.com

Darshan; The Embrace – Described as an “intimate documentary’, this film follows Amma (the hugging saint) around her native India as she offers Darshan – a blessing – in the form of a hug to all who come to her. Known to have hugged over 50 million people so far in her remarkable life, this film explores the unique life of this woman devoted to a more loving world. For more visit www.amma.org

Fast Food Nation – Based on the book of the same title by Eric Schlosser, this film follows a fictional fast-food executive through his search for the truth. With Greg Kinnear, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette this film examines the sustainability and ethics of the way that we eat in the West. For more on this film visit www.festival-cannes.fr

Upcoming Events

The Journey; Part I – A Passage of Self Discovery.

In this unique 2-evening workshop with Christopher Lipscomb you will be introduced to the “7 Steps to Self-Mastery”, a concise but comprehensive introduction to the Self Mastery process. What will you get out of this course? Participants can expect to become far more relaxed and centred, and in doing so, better equipped to respond more thoughtfully to life’s daily challenges.

• The course is offered in Orangeville (Canada) on Sept 17 & 18 from 6:00-9:30pm. For details or to book your space in “The Journey, call Judy at 519.938.7813.

Private Healing Sessions, Orangeville, Canada

Private sessions with Christopher are available in Orangeville until September 24th. Overcome fear and anxiety, heal emotional and physical blocks, connect with your higher self, and reveal the true nature of your purpose in life.

• For bookings call Judy at 519.938.7813 or Chris at 416.722.7154.

Yoga Class Schedule, Tottenham, Canada

At Balance Yoga Studio 905.936.YOGA

• Tues 9:30-10:30am Pilates
• Wed 6:00-7:15pm Ashtanga Yoga
• Thursday 7:00-8:15pm Pilates

Until Dec 15 Heather is offering Thai Yoga Massage, Personal Fitness/ Pilates/ Yoga sessions, and Corporate Yoga Classes in your home or office. 416.722.7154

YTT Tottenham, Canada

Heather Agnew, Anandashakti (Xenia Splawinski) and Shira Harrison-MacIntyre, are uniting to offer a 200+ hour yoga teacher training program in Tottenham to run from Sep ’06 to Mar ’07.

For more details call 905.936.YOGA.

Thai Yoga Massage Canberra, Australia

In January 2007 we are excited to be hosting the Lotus Palm Thai Yoga Massage School and instructor Shai Plonski in Canberra for the Thai Yoga Massage Certificate Program. Intensives I and II will be offered for students, yoga teachers, massage therapists and anyone interested in learning and practicing this dynamic healing art. For details on this course visit www.yogatrinity.com.

YTT Australia 2007

We are currently in the process of changing our 2007 schedule to accommodate some more offerings in Canada, and for Heather to make room to take a course in Yoga Therapy. Please stay tuned to the Messenger for updates, or visit www.yogatrinity.com

Himalayan ‘Longevity Secrets’ Revealed
Introducing the Goji Berry (Lycium Barbarum)
By Christopher Lipscomb.

Mythologized in the Himalayas for thousands of years the Goji berry is only just beginning to make news here in the West. But, despite its newness as a nutritional supplement, Goji is already having a huge impact on the well-being of everyday people with everyday issues.
Available as a juice, a dried berry, and a powdered supplement, this little berry is making headlines. Already appearing in Harpers Bazaar, the LA Times, and most recently Time magazine as the “superfood of the year”, Goji has some strong supporters like Uma Thurman, Gabrielle Reese and Lance Baird. But, it’s not its newness as a nutritional “trend” that makes Goji special. What makes Goji special is ancient history.

Goji has been consumed throughout the Himalayas for thousands of years. Festivals, myth and folklore pay respect to this little red fruit regarded by many as the ‘elixir of life,’ and for good reason. It is said the first Himalayan healers used the Goji Berry to influence the vitality & well being of those around them. Their most cherished food was the dried berry of the Goji vine and is equally treasured by all who consume it. Many cultures obsessed with the notion of a ‘Fountain Of Youth’ sent expeditions into the Himalayas in search of their secret, but few realized the ‘real magic’ was contained in a little red berry being eaten right under their noses!

“Goji”, literally means ‘happiness’ in Tibetan and no wonder. Research has shown it is not uncommon for people who consume copious amounts of Goji to experience long, vibrant, lives free of illness and disease. Goji’s power comes from its intense nutritional & bioactive polysaccharide make-up now widely considered the world’s most powerful food.

The early healers (the first preventative health practitioners) shared their knowledge along trade routes and in doing so, legends of the Goji berry’s powerful effects spread throughout Asia. Seeds were scattered and the Goji vine flourished all over the continent. Since the first documented use of Goji nearly 2000 years ago 41 different varieties have been identified just in Mongolia alone. But as it has been discovered not all of the Goji varieties are the same and in fact, all differ greatly in nutritional value and potency. The original “Goji”- still a relative mystery to science - needed to be collected, studied and examined on a deeper level. Enter - Dr Earl Mindell - respected nutritionist and author of ‘The Vitamin Bible’

10 years ago, a colleague and Master Herbalist from China introduced Mindell to the Goji Berry and it’s awesome nutritional versatility. Mindell was deeply impressed with what he was shown, so much so that he embarked on what he believed to be the challenge of his life. To find, locate and unlock the secrets of the original Himalayan Goji that the first healers used, and to help his friend share this with the world.

10 years later, the results have been astonishing. Mindell indeed found that not all Goji varieties were the same and discovered the original Goji species mythologized by the early healers (Lycium Barbarum) to be one of the most complex ‘Super Foods’ known to man. On top of its impressive nutritional complexity, Goji contains 4 unique ‘Master Molecules’ or bioactive polysaccharides. Polysaccharides protect plants that grow in extreme climate conditions but also have an extraordinary list of therapeutic benefits for human beings.
While The Himalayans are living proof of Goji’s anti-ageing qualities, it’s only in the last few of years the nutritional importance of Goji has been fully realized here in the West. From a nutrition perspective Goji is incredibly inclusive and perhaps is the most versatile natural products seen in the well-being industry yet. Fed by glacial waters and grown in pristine soils the Goji Berry is real and now available in Australia and North America.

Goji Contains:
• 19 amino acids.
• 21 trace minerals (including Germanium, an anti-cancer trace mineral)
• Vitamin C (second highest known source)
• Antioxidants Carotenoids, including Beta-carotene and Zeaxanthin (protects the eyes).
• B-complex vitamins
• Flavenoids
• Essential Fatty Acids
• Solavetivone, (a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound)
• Vitamin E
• Beta-Sitosterol, an anti-inflammatory agent, lowers cholesterol and has been used to treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement.
• Cyperone, a Sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure, alleviates menstrual discomfort, and has been used in the treatment of cervical cancer
Goji facts:
• More protein than whole wheat (13 percent).
• Goji berries are the richest source of Carotenoids of all known foods.
• Contains 4 Master molecules or polysaccharides unique to Goji
• Contains immune boosting, anti-aging, anti-cancer properties that will make your preventative health routine more complete.

Himalayan Goji is available in a delicious juice and can be delivered to your door for as little as $45 a month, and is available in Australia through Christopher Lipscomb (chris@yogatrinity.com) or in Canada through Judy Scipione at 519.938.7813

Yoga For Mind and Body

Part of an ongoing series offering yoga postures for men, women, and children to practice at home, school, on the road or in the office. With special thanks to Ross Pottinger of Wink Photo Design in Brisbane, Australia for the photos and the support in this project. And many thanks to Louisa Dick for taking part in the project. Do check with your health care practitioner before beginning a yoga practice. Many postures and techniques are not suitable for pregnant women, people with joint replacements, those with hypertension or other medical conditions. If you have a posture that you would like to see in this column, I welcome your suggestions. Namaste, H

Balasana - Child Pose printer friendly version

To Begin: From kneeling, sit back onto the heels and walk hands forward, letting your body relax until you can rest your belly on your thighs and forehead on the ground. Keep arms extended forward as you begin, with hands active and elbows off the ground.

The Pose: Take a few breaths pressing into the hands to draw the hips back and down towards the heels. Rather than flattening the back, encourage a gentle roundness in the spine.

To Intensify: Draw the arms down beside the body with forehead on the ground.

To Modify: 1) Fold forearms one over the other and rest forehead on the arms, or rest head on a block or bolster. 2) Place a pillow or bolster between the belly and the thighs to deepen back stretch and massage abdomen. 3) Spread knees slightly to allow the belly some space, essential for pregnant students or those with gastric problems or hernia.

Breathing: Hold for 5-25 steady breaths, encouraging the breath into the back body and release head, neck and face completely. Dristhi: Close the eyes and focus the inner gaze on the ajna (third eye) centre.

Cautions: Avoid strain. After the first few breaths moving into the pose, let the body sink into the pose without effort. May not be suitable for students with hernia or gastric problems.

Benefits: The most nourishing and nurturing of all postures, this pose can be used between each backward bend to rebalance the spine, or held for longer durations as a restorative pose.