Vibrant Soulful
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Our Values
  • COACHING
    • AYURVEDIC WELLNESS COACHING
  • COURSES
    • VIBRANT LIVING HABITS
    • IGNITE YOUR DHARMA
    • SPRING DETOX
    • FALL DETOX
    • AYURVEDA ESSENTIALS
    • AYURVEDA WOMEN'S HEALTH
  • YOGA
    • YOGA CLASSES
    • PRIVATE YOGA SESSIONS
  • WORKPLACE WELLNESS
  • RESOURCES
    • TIP SHEETS
    • FREE YOGA
    • RECIPES
    • BOOKS
    • PODCAST EPISODES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT

Learning Earth Sadhana in the Andes

6/27/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Developing Deeper Connections to the Earth through Awareness, and Ritual and Community

My family spends time in the Peruvian Andes almost every year. Each time I am in Peru, I give thanks that I have the opportunity to step into a more grounded relationship with myself and with the earth. My time in the Peruvian Andes shifts the ways in which I experience and connect to the earth. Over the years of spending time in the Andes, I have explored rich and varied ways to engage my sadhana (my spiritual practice) with the intent to experience a deeper connection to nature’s rhythms. I call these
Earth Sadhanas.

As a yogi and Ayurvedic wellness coach, I have a strong desire to make offerings of wisdom teachings and practices to help people reclaim their connection to the natural world. I believe that a true path of yoga must go way beyond what we do on the mat and cushion and encompass all of our daily activities and help us reclaim our connection with the natural world. 

Read More
0 Comments

Foods to Favor for Summer

6/11/2019

0 Comments

 
The summer season has these characteristics: heat, long days of bright sun, and sharp intensity.

​These are all attributes of pitta dosha (fire and a little water), which is why summer is considered in Ayurveda to be a pitta season. And, even though some climates are also humid this time of year, the cumulative effect of intense heat is to dry things out, so summer is also considered dry.

According to Ayurveda, our bodies heat up over the course of the summer season. The effects of this heat can show up as skin irritations, rashes, hay fever, and disrupted digestion. If you suffer from any of these, it is likely that your body has accumulated excess heat. If you can cool and release the hot, sharp qualities of summer from your body, you will enjoy the summer season more.

Thankfully, if you look to what is fresh in your area, you can cool the heat by eating what nature provides best this season.

  • Favor foods that are sweet, bitter and astringent as these will cool the body. ENJOY COCONUT, CUCUMBERS, GREENS, FRESH VEGETABLES, GREEN SMOOTHIES, COLORFUL SALADS, BASMATI RICE, QUINOA, MINT, CILANTRO.
  • Reduce foods that are pungent, sour and salty as these will create more heat in the body. REDUCE COFFEE, SALTY CHIPS, SALSA, HOT SAUCE, PICKLES, ALCOHOL, RED MEAT, CHEESE.

​For a list and links to healthy seasonal recipes, click here. 

Here's a visual of foods to favor and foods to avoid in the summer:

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Vibrant Living Summer Tips

6/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Download the tip sheet here:
vibrant_living_summer_tips-1.pdf
File Size: 230 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Vibrant Living Summer Tips

As summer heats up in your area, Ayurveda has sound advice for staying healthy through the season.
 
Stay Cool, Calm, Content and Hydrated.

Summer Eating Tips
  • Eat more foods that are sweet,  bitter, and astringent as these will cool the body. Enjoy coconut, cucumber, all fresh veggies in season, and all greens. Drink green smoothies, and eat colorful salads, basmati rice or quinoa pilafs, mint and cilantro.
  • Enjoy the juicy fruits of summer as these will hydrate your body and are gentle on digestion. Enjoy melon, watermelons, grapes, apples, pears, plums.
  • Eat less foods that are pungent, sour, salty as these flavors create more heat in the body. Reduce coffee, salty chips, salsa, pickles, alcohol, red meats and cheese.
  • Sip cool or room temperature water or herbal tea throughout the day to stay hydrated.
  • Eat at regular meal time and avoid snacking to facilitate easier digestion.
  • Eat  your largest meal at midday when your digestive fire is at its peak.
  • Eat an earlier, lighter dinner for less burden on the body and better sleep.

Summer Living Tips
  • Wear light colored clothing, loose cotton, linen and silk to stay comfortable and cool
  • Avoid excessive physical activity during midday heat, as it can be draining.
  • Do your yoga or movement practices in early morning and in the evening.
  • Cook in the morning before it gets hot.
  • Carve out time each day to rest, rather than push yourself.
  • Make time to daydream! Sit in a hammock and watch the treetops and clouds.
  • Spend time in nature. Swim, hike, float, paddle, stargaze,
  • Nourish your skin and sooth your senses with daily self massage using coconut oil.
  • Protect your skin from the sun. Use a zinc based sunscreen and aloe for your skin.
  • Enjoy cooling and calming essential oils such as rose, sandalwood, jasmine or lavender.​
  • Embrace Easeful Living. Don’t over-commit yourself or you’ll feel burned out by fall!

Interested in more healthy living tip sheets, go here.
0 Comments

Yogis' Best Travel Tips

6/10/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
Our family loves to travel. We spend most of our summers on the go visiting family out of state, camping, and traveling to Peru. We travel by foot, plane, train, bus, car, and taxi.  We sleep in airports, hotels, homes, cabins, and tents.  I’ve gotten good at traveling, but it hasn’t always been this way.  I've always loved the stimulation of traveling – taking in new landscapes, meeting new people, tasting new foods, etc. Yet, getting a good night sleep and keeping my digestion running smooth haven't always been easy.

That’s where the strategies of yoga and Ayurveda come in.  Over the years, I have cultivated an effective tool kit of strategies to keep me healthy when I travel. Now, no matter where I am on the planet, I keep my daily routine, and I incorporate strategies, foods and remedies that keeps my body-mind healthy and happy. 

These are my best travel tips:
Stay hydrated. This is my number one travel tip.  It’s so easy to get dehydrated while traveling.  In my experience, dehydration leads to feeling ungrounded, spaced out, grumpy. Dehydration also upsets digestion.  I always travel with my water bottle. If it’s cold, I travel with a thermos full of hot water. Ayurveda recommends room temperature and/or warm water rather than cold beverages for sound digestion. To feel at home, I like to travel with a few of my favorite herbal tea bags. . 

Travel with nourishing and grounding food.  There is nothing worse than being hungry while traveling, and there is nothing worse than being somewhere like an airport terminal or gas station convenience store with no good food choices. I love to try new foods wherever I am, but on travel days, I always bring along my own nourishing food.  Fresh fruit, cut up veggies and nuts are a must.  Instant oatmeal is great for early morning breakfasts on the go (simply add hot water to a thermos cup).  Other options are avocados and fresh bread, par-cooked veggies or salads.  To make sure I get my daily dose of greens, I like to bring along super greens powder to add to juice or water.

Support your digestion. Traveling can easily upset digestion. These are some ways I support my digestion while traveling:
  • Ginger tea. Drink throughout the day and after a heavy meal.
  • Triphala. Take the Ayurvedic remedy triphala in capsule or powdered form with warm water before bed for smooth digestion.
  • Add chia seeds to your favorite drink.  Chia seeds are great for energy and they support bowel regularity.
  • Magnesium supports healthy bowel function. Try magnesium citrate. I like this type.

Support your sleep. Do you find it hard to sleep in new places? I am a sensitive sleeper. These are the strategies I use to sleep soundly when I'm traveling:
  • Use an eye mask. I love this black silk eye mask. It helps me sleep soundly when I'm home and away.
  • Magnesium. I love the magnesium calms my body and helps me sleep when I'm away from home. There are many forms of magnesium available. Two forms I like are magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate. I use this type.

Stick to a routine.  No matter where I am, I follow the same morning and evening routine.  My routine helps me feel at home wherever I am. These are habits for the morning and evening routine that will keep you grounded and centered anywhere on the planet:
  • Wake up at roughly the same time of the day.
  • Drink 2 cups of warm water first thing in the morning.
  • Center yourself with a morning  meditation. Even five minutes counts.
  • Do ten minutes of exercise before breakfast.  
  • Before bed massage your feet with oil. A foot massage relieves stress and fatigue from travel and helps settle the nervous system for sleep.
  • Try to get to bed by 10 PM

Do yoga.  A few poses every day while traveling will help your body feel comfortable and strong.  Whether your travel includes lots of plane or car time, or lots of hiking, a few sun salutations in the morning or some supine poses in the evening will refresh, enliven and keep your body from getting stiff or sore.  (Yoga on the go? Check out my free yoga resources. You can play them right from your smartphone.)

Use essential oils.  Essential oils are great for travelers.
  • Use lavender to  reduce stress. 
  • Peppermint and ginger help with motion sickness and improve digestion. 
  • Eucalyptus is great respiratory support. 
  • Citronella is great for repelling insects. 

​Happy Travels!
2 Comments
    Picture

    Annie Barrett

    Educator, certified health coach, educator and yoga instructor.

    Book a Free Consult

    Search this website

    Picture

    Get the Vibrant Soulful Weekly Newsletter.

    * indicates required

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    July 2018
    March 2018
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    May 2012
    February 2012
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    May 2009
    February 2009


    Categories

    All
    5 Elements
    Abhyasa
    Abundance
    Alignment
    Anjali Mudra
    August
    Bija Niyaya
    Breath
    Detox
    Discipline
    Family
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Heart
    Holidays
    Intentions
    Meditation
    Mythology
    Namaste
    New Year
    Open To Grace
    Practice
    Pulsation
    Relationships
    Sadhana
    Sattva
    Seed
    Sleep
    Spring Food
    Stillness
    Summer Solstice
    Valentine's Day
    Winter Solstice
    Yamas And Niyamas
    Yoga
    Yoga Philosophy

    RSS Feed

Picture
Annie Barrett, M.A., E-RYT, YHC (she/her/hers)
Coach • Speaker • Educator • Ayurveda • Yoga
Annie Barrett Wellness, LLC / Vibrant Soulful Wellness
vibrantsoulful.com
Annie Barrett Wellness, LLC, 5139 25th Ln NW, Olympia, WA 98502 | ​DISCLAIMER, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PRIVACY POLICY
​
The information on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to DISCLAIMER.
Copyright © 2021
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Our Values
  • COACHING
    • AYURVEDIC WELLNESS COACHING
  • COURSES
    • VIBRANT LIVING HABITS
    • IGNITE YOUR DHARMA
    • SPRING DETOX
    • FALL DETOX
    • AYURVEDA ESSENTIALS
    • AYURVEDA WOMEN'S HEALTH
  • YOGA
    • YOGA CLASSES
    • PRIVATE YOGA SESSIONS
  • WORKPLACE WELLNESS
  • RESOURCES
    • TIP SHEETS
    • FREE YOGA
    • RECIPES
    • BOOKS
    • PODCAST EPISODES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT