Keesha's Blog
July 2008

It is with great sadness that we bid our lovely Misty farewell. Joy quickly replaces sorrow as we all realize she is going home and her family is taking advantage of wonderful opportunities. For Misty from her Fern Life Center family:  

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.  

And as one door closes, another opens. We are elated to welcome Brenda Devore into our family at Fern Life Center. Brenda's ready, radiant smile and deep knowledge and personal experience of Ayurveda are assets to everyone who walks through our door. Welcome Brenda!

Pitta Summer Routine

The long anticipated summer sun is finally here! Summer is the time to have fun, socialize and relax.

Along with the fun that a warm summer affords comes the increase of sun and heat which is reflected in our bodies as excess Pitta. One of the main principles that Ayurveda teaches us is, "like increases like."  Pitta aggravations include: heat rash, hives, canker sores, boils, burning sensations, inflammation of any kind, high blood pressure, nose bleeds, strong body odor, gout, and rheumatism, along with emotions of anger, frustration, envy, jealousy, hate and hostility. A balanced Pitta is joyful, dynamic, ambitious, passionate, bright, intelligent, and determined. They make great leaders, teachers, organizers and athletes, if they aren't inflamed!

The main objective is to "stay cool" this summer and if you are Pitta person or have a Pitta imbalance. Try the following tips. Make an appointment with Keesha Ewers, ARNP, AAP (425-391-FERN [3376]), or drop into Fern Life Center for our Pitta reducing handout, which offers 2 full pages of tips about how to stay cool.

• Pitta time is from 10-2 pm. (and 10-2am) Try to stay out of the mid summer sun as much as possible, seek shade or be near the water during this time.
• Do not work out during this time. Instead, take a siesta, or 'mental siesta'; don't schedule as much during that time of your workday. 
• Walk barefoot in the morning on dewy grass for a cooling, 'be in the moment', meditation.
• Take advantage of moonlit evenings and absorb the cooling effects of the moons rays.
• Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing in colors of blues, greens, lavender and white.
• Keep your skin oiled with coconut oil to antidote any of the sun's harmful effects on the skin.
• Shitali breathing or left nostril breathing will cool you off.
• Do not skip meals or let yourself get too hungry.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Avoid hot tubs and saunas.
• Essential oils to keep with you or into spritzers (by adding a few drops of essential oil into water) and keep this in your car or purse. Spritz yourself when you are feeling hot.  K one by your bedside to spritze your sheets before sleep.Essential oils for pacifying Pitta are: Rose, Lavender, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Mint, Vetiver and Gardenia.  Also, citrus and lemony smells like lemon balm or lemongrass.
• And, most of all, don't forget to stay well hydrated.

The temptations for iced lattes or iced cold beer might be calling you. Understand that coffee and alcohol increase Pitta quickly, creating more heat, anger and frustration. Instead, try fresh young coconut water, water infused with limes, lemons, cucumbers, basil, mint, and/or oranges. Drink fresh pomegranate, grape or apple juice, fresh celery or cucumber juice.  Celery juice is excellent for flushing excess uric acid from joints and reducing inflammations. Look for herbal tea blends or make your own with cooling ingredients like: cumin, coriander, fennel, rose, citrus peels, mint, hibiscus, lavender, and chamomile.

Your diet should have plenty of fresh raw salads and fruits favoring the tastes of sweet, astringent, and bitter. Avoid spicy, sour, salty, fried foods, alcohol and caffeine.

For a more specific list of foods to favor and avoid please follow this link to our website.
http://www.fernlifecenter.com/ayurveda/foods/pitta.htm

Try the following tasty drink recipe inspired by Dr. Vasant Lad's book "The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies" (a great book available at Fern Life Center)

For Anger and Hostility (and other high Pitta conditions)

• 2 handfuls of red grapes
• 1-cup water
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. of fennel seeds
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. of cumin seeds
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. of sandalwood powder (organic-food grade) or substitute with coriander powder or rose petals or rosewater.

Blend, and for an added boost of cool, top with a little chopped cilantro.

Community Building at Fern Life Center

We are working like little bees in the hive here at the clinic on creating small group discussion circles and support for one another. Community building is one of the next big projects of Fern Life Center. You are all dynamic and amazing people. We want you to know one another. We also want you well supported on your journey into transformation. It's not always an easy ride and the bumps can be softened with the support of a good community. Please let us know how you would like that to look. One of our first projects is a study group or book club. The wisdom of the Universe has been spoken by many masters in many languages throughout time. You can find an infinite number of books that say the same thing in different ways. Please sign up at the front desk or drop us an email if you would like to study "The New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. We will read it during the month of August and meet in September for a group discussion after group meditation.

Vedic Astrology
another layer to bring awareness and ultimately balance

We are excited to welcome Melanie Farmer to Fern Life Center. Melanie is one of the world's wise women. Among her many achievements she is a massage therapist, Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga teacher, and a jyotisha. Jyotish is Vedic astrology. I have been sending my clients away for chart readings and now we have a resident jyotisha! Melanie will be offering chart readings and yoga classes on Fridays. Call for an appointment. We use Jyotish to understand ups and downs in life commonly refered to as our karmas. Jyotish is part of a "holistic" approach to living and to spiritual practice. Your reading includes Ayurvedic recommendations optimizing long life, good health and well being.

90 minute Consultation, $125 For more about Melanie see her website: http://www.westseattleyoga.com/StaffBios.htm. 

We have new Crystal Tibetan Singing Bowls!

Everything in life is formed of vibration. This is a result of the movement of electrons and protons of every atom of every molecule of every substance. Vibration exists in objects, animals, people and the atmosphere. The vibrational frequencies of animate life are more active, vibrant and variant than inanimate matters. (If our hearing were to possess the necessary sensitivity to perceive all ranges of frequencies, we would be able to hear the music of flowers and grass, mountains and valleys, the singing of the sky and the stars and the symphony of our own bodies). All organs, tissues and systems of our body have similar vibrating atoms. When allergens or contaminated foods enter our body, it alters normal vibrational patterns of the body or system. When we have an unbalanced emotional or mental attitude, a misalignment of the subtle bodies with the physical body can occur. When this happens, the body needs help to restore itself to its original vibration. 

When you focus sound vibration to a problem area, balance to that area can be temporarily restored. When there is balance, the body is more effective in eliminating toxins and negativities. 

Sound is considered the direct link between humanity and the divine - it is the contributing factor to our present states of health and consciousness. The human body is a bioelectrical system which can be altered, strengthened and balanced through the use of sound.  Come in and let us demonstrate the effect crystal singing bowls have on your mind, body and spirit- it's amazing.