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Hello wonderful people!

We have now organised the winter retreat, truly exciting. It will be 6 hours now instead of 5 so that things won't be so rushed, this is accompanied by an increase in price however if you came to the autumn workshop you can access a discount as a thankyou for your support of our first workshop.

Discount code is Autumn22.

This discount will give you the 6hr winter retreat for the price of the 5hr autumn retreat. We hope you are all well and enjoying this change of season.

Hope to see you soon!

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Retreat 2 Blog & Photos: Yoga, Ayurvedic Food & Herbalism 

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Retreat 2 Blog & Photos: Yoga, Ayurvedic Food & Herbalism 

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Written by Dr Demeter

Photos by Jess Cherret and Emily Samuels-Ballantyne

Starting in the sacred circle a group of intentional women convened at Magical Farm to take part in the Yoga, Ayurvedic Food and Herbalism retreat two. We shared our intentions for the day and reason for being present. A theme that came up was 'taking some time' as well as a moment to reflect on ways our individual lives can be lived in a holistic way. We then took part in an hour yin yoga class in the big tent, and finished with some breathing exercises. Autumn is an important time in Ayrveda to focus on the large intestine and lungs. So the yoga practice supported poses for the digestive system and the lung region. The breathing exercises we used as a way to 'let go' of anything that we need our bodies to release - as the leaves drop to the ground and let go of their excess, we also are going through the same process.

Following the yoga we moved onto food! We fermented some Kim chi with some beautiful organic local produce - and reflected on the Ayurvedic benefits from these foods. India is one of the only counties in the world who include ferments in their 'national nutritional recommendations'. Very important food for the digestive system. Then as our Ayurvedic designed lunch was prepared Jess Cherrett began her herbalism workshop. We were so lucky to receive so much wisdom from her. Throughout the herbalism workshop we learnt how to make a heart tonic with Hawthorne, rose and elderberries, a cough syrup filled with natures goodies for the winter season, lip balm to keep our lips lubricated during the winter time and a fire cider to support our immune systems.

We had many discussions about ways herbs can support health and how they are so important for people to connect to so they are empowered to take care of their own bodies.

Autumn sees the decline of the pitta dosha and the rise of the vata dosha. As the fire element of summer gives way, the air element of autumn comes to the fore. Prana, the vital breath, is everywhere. To balance vata (dry, cool, windy, irregular and light), it is important to cultivate -wet, warm, sheltered, grounded, heavy, slow and regular. Our retreat enabling a nourishing moment in time to convene together as community in our 'new shelter @ Magical Farm' (still to be completed cob house from the natural building retreat!) and connect to nature wisdom in herbalism and food to support ourselves in this season and into the winter.

If you are interested to attend our Winter workshop please be in touch via our email info@magicalfarm.org

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Retreat Two: Autumn Yoga, Ayurvedic Food and Herbalism @ Magical Farm, March 2022 - Magical Farm

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Written by Dr Demeter Photos by Jess Cherret and Emily Samuels-Ballantyne Starting in the sacred circle a group of intentional women convened at Magical Farm to take part in the Yoga, Ayurvedic Food and Herbalism retreat two. We shared our intentions for the day and reason for being present.

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Autumn sees the decline of the pitta dosha and the rise of the vata dosha. The qualities of vata are rough, dry, cool, erratic, clear and subtle. As the fire element of summer gives way, the air element of autumn comes to the fore. Prana, the vital breath, is everywhere. In Ayurveda, we believe it's extremely beneficial to our health and well-being to balance vata.

Balance your vata in autumn

Vata season is dry, cool, windy, irregular and light.

The signs of vata imbalance include nervousness, anxiety, panic, fear, twitches, tics, tremors, spasms, dry or chapped skin. constipation, gas, bloating, dry, hard stools, low body weight, aversion to cold and wind, difficulty tolerating loud noises, light, interrupted sleep, spacey or scattered mind.

To balance vata, it is wise to create the opposite qualities in your life-wet, warm, sheltered, grounded, heavy, slow and regular.

Autumn diet:
Through the vata season, you can enjoy foods that are:
sweet, salty and sour

high in protein and healthy fats

cooked with warm and stimulating spices (ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, fennel)

soft, such as porridge, made from oats or tapioca and garnished with butter or oil.

If your digestive fire (agni) is strong, your meals can also include hearty grains, meat, eggs, nuts, seeds and dairy products.

Steamed vegetables, stews and soups are very grounding and internally moisturising. Ensure that all vegetables are well-cooked and preferably served with butter or healthy oils.
In the cooler months, do not eat:
cold and frozen foods

raw vegetables

cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts

dry foods such as toast, crackers and dried fruit.

During autumn it is common for people to increase their intake of food. While it is grounding, we must be careful to not overeat or burden our digestion.

Don't fast in autumn; however, it is a good time to do a simple cleanse by eating a mono-diet, such as kitchari.

Autumn lifestyle

The best way to balance vata is to establish a daily routine. A good routine has a consistent rising time (no later than 7am), relaxed eating, moderate exercise, and consistent bedtime (no later than 10pm).

A pleasurable morning routine makes time for self-massage using warm, organic sesame oil, followed by a warm and relaxing shower. Gentle exercise and at least fifteen minutes of meditation promotes balance and well-being.

As the season gets cooler, wear warm clothing and scarfs to protect from cool winds. Avoid your exposure to loud noise, fast driving and aggressive music.

Clothing colours that reflect the vata season are orange, red, yellow and white. Perfume such as geranium, vetiver and citrus essential oils are also complementary to the season.

Autumn exercise

The best time to exercise is in the early morning, between 6 and 10am. Gentle exercise in the evening is also good for de-stressing from the day.

Your exercises in autumn should be strengthening gentle and slow forms. Fast exercise can very easily aggravate vata. Exercise at approximately 50-70% of your personal capacity. Walking, biking, hiking, tai chi and yoga are very good.

A good exercise regime balances effort with enough sleep and relaxation to allow the successful rejuvenation of body tissues.

Autumn yoga

Yoga has a very calming effect on vata. It provides warmth, stability, focus and grounding. At this time of year alternate nostril breathing is very balancing.

Always warm up slowly and do some joint rotations. Ground your feet and hands on the mat whenever possible, and don't jump in-between postures.

Standing and balancing poses such as Warrior I, Warrior II, Mountain and Tree pose will increase your strength and stability; while poses such as cat, thunderbolt, cobra and child's pose will help you connect with the earth beneath.

Forward bends quieten the mind, while poses such as legs-up-the-wall are great for soothing the nervous system and balancing vata. Finish your routine with a long shavasana, and protect yourself with a covering to prevent getting cool.

Consult with an ayurvedic doctor

This article provides general advice, relevant for most people, about how to balance vata. To obtain more detailed advice relevant to your base constitution, health conditions and general wellbeing, come and see one of our experienced ayurvedic doctors, available for consultation in our clinics or online.

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Ayurvedic guidelines for autumn - Vibrant Ayurveda

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Autumn sees the decline of the pitta dosha and the rise of the vata dosha. The qualities of vata are rough, dry, cool, erratic, clear and subtle. As the fire element of summer gives way, the air element of autumn comes to the fore. Prana, [...]

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Retreat 2 - Magical Farm Tasmania: Ayurvedic Food, Yoga and Herbalism

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Retreat 2 - Magical Farm Tasmania: Ayurvedic Food, Yoga and Herbalism

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Mahalakshmi Mantra 108 times, Om Mahalakshmai Namo Namah Anuradha Paudwal I Audio Song

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GANESH MANTRA: VERY POWERFUL MANTRA FOR SUCCESS !

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Durga Mantra (the one the kept coming to my mind in the yoga class!)

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Durga Mantra (the one the kept coming to my mind in the yoga class!)

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DURGA MANTRA : VERY POWERFUL AGAINST NEGATIVE FORCES

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Purchase the Venus in Capricorn Cycle Calendar and Guidebook 2022

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About Me March Equinox Gathering of Heart Heroine: Journey of Awakened Heart Venus in Capricorn Cycle Calendar and Guidebook Blog Contact

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New Edition! This is the third edition of Dr. F. Batmanghelidj' classic water book! THis book, based on a pioneering physician's twenty years of clinical and scientific research into the role of water in the body, explains a breakthrough discovery that Unintentional Chronic Dehydration(UCD) produces stress, chronic pains and many painful degenerational diseases. Dry mouth is not the only sign of dehydration; waiting to get thirsty is wrong. You will learn the different signals of thirst when your body is calling for water. Simply adjusting your water intake - yes, water! Natural, pure water!- can help you to live a healthier, pain-free life. Lean: How to naturally prevent and reverse conditions such as asthma, allergies How to naturally eliminate pains including heartburn, back pain, arthritis, colitis pain, migrant headches How to use water to prevent and combat premature aging How to lose weight effortlessly, without strick dieting

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Your Body's Many Cries for Water: You're Not Sick; You're Thirsty: Don't Treat Thirst with Medications

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New Edition! This is the third edition of Dr. F. Batmanghelidj' classic water book! THis book, based on a pioneering physician's twenty years of clinical and scientific research into the role of water in the body, explains a breakthrough discovery that Unintentional Chronic Dehydration(UCD) produces stress, chronic pains and many painful degenerational diseases.

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No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you're not breathing properly.

There is nothing more essential to our health and wellbeing than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences. In Breath, journalist James Nestor travels the world to discover the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya and Tummo, to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.

Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance, rejuvenate internal organs, halt snoring, allergies, asthma and autoimmune disease, and even straighten scoliotic spines. None of this should be possible, and yet it is. Drawing on thousands of years of ancient wisdom and recent cutting-edge studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry and human physiology, Breath turns the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about our most basic biological function on its head.

You will never breathe the same again.

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No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you're not breathing properly. There is nothing more essential to our health and wellbeing than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day.

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Stewed apples are not only a delicious way I start my morning, but the most gentle energy igniters that will set your digestive fire to burn evenly through the day. Some days, I have stewed apples as breakfast, and sometimes 30 min after my stewed apples, I follow with another meal.

see me make it i this video

My first introduction to stewed apples happened in my early childhood. My mom would say, "they are light on your stomach." Whenever I would fall sick, had surgery or digestive problems, my mother would make baked or stewed apples for me. I guess that is why stewed or baked apples were the dish I would turn to if I felt my body needed a bit of support.

Often times when the "I want something, but I don't know what exactly" moment rolls in, my sister Kate and I would return to some version of this simple dish. I even mastered several stewed apple variations, just to switch around a bit because I had them on a regular basis.

Stewed with spices, apples always seemed to satisfy the cravings, give energy, and keep me going. I never questioned why and how it worked exactly. I knew from my own experience that this simple dish did well to my body.

Stewed apples are not only a delicious way I start my morning, but the most gentle energy igniters that will set your digestive fire to burn evenly through the day. Some days, I have stewed apples as breakfast, and sometimes 30 min after my stewed apples, I follow with another meal.

Stewed apples are used in modern medicine as part of the regimen for people with numerous digestive issues, including IBS, bloating, and constipation. But way before modern science put a stamp of approval on the humble remedy, it was used for centuries in various cultures and well known in the science of Ayurveda. Ayurveda refers to the digestive system as Agni, the fire of digestion.

AGNI, THE FIRE OF DIGESTION

Every day it's burning within us, turning food into a fuel for our body to function. Digestive Agni burns strong during the day, but as the sun goes down, so does Agni. It rests overnight just to rise once again. And just like a gentle morning sun, it awakens gingerly in the morning to keep us going once again. We are our own firekeepers, and it is critical to set it right, so it burns bright throughout the day.

Our digestive fire doesn't peak until noon; that is why it is essential to start the day with a meal that will not overload your system. Stewed apples will do just that.

stewed apples with dried apricots and raisins

Stewed apples are the perfect digestive fire starter, and here is why.

Warm fruits are much easier to digest than cold ones. Fruits like apples, pears, and plums are high in pectin.

Pectin is a particular form of fiber - a soluble fiber that improves the environment in our gut, feeds good bacteria, reduces inflammation, and boost immunity. And by stewing apples, we make pectin even more readily available for our gut bacteria to digest.

In addition to pectin, apples are a plentiful source of insoluble fiber that promotes regularity and purification of the body; and acts as a gentle cleanse for the digestive system. Stewed apples optimize dietary pH balance and boost immunity.

I prepare for my morning meal a night before by soaking raisins and dry apricots in warm water. Dried apricots and raisins soaked in water support liver function, and help to start the digestive processes gently. Usually, I soak a tablespoon of dark raisins (about 12 of them) and two dry apricots (sulfur-free) overnight.

In the morning, I strain my raisins and apricots and set them aside. Then I dilute soaking water with a bit of warm water to achieve a lukewarm temperature. And I' drink it to my health all at once. After that, I'm ready for the apples 🙂

I also add some spices to further digestive benefits and for taste. Cardamom activates the secretion of digestive enzymes. Cinnamon improves digestion and absorption of nutrients. And cloves gently open the body's circulatory channels, keep blood sugar in check and further enhance digestion and metabolism.

👩🏼‍🍳 THINGS I USED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

What about you?

Have you ever tried to make stewed apples before? Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it went in the comments below and share a picture of stewed apples on Instagram with the hashtag @ positivepranic #positivepranic so that I can see your beautiful creation 🙂 🙏

Be Alive 🌱,
❤ Love, Julia

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STEWED APPLES Ayurvedic approach " how to improve digestion

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Stewed apples are not only a delicious way I start my morning, but the most gentle energy igniters that will set your digestive fire to burn evenly through the day. Some days, I have stewed apples as breakfast, and sometimes 30 min after my stewed apples, I follow with another meal.

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In Ayurveda, each of us has a unique mind-body type, known as a dosha. Think of a dosha as your individual blueprint that describes your unique personality, tendencies, and physical nature. Understanding your dosha reveals how to keep yourself in balance to stay happy, healthy and disease free.

By gathering information in this quiz, we'll give you a breakdown of your specific dosha blend along with personalized practices for mind, body and spirit well-being.

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Doshas are a central element of Ayurveda and the basis of what makes it such a personalized approach to health. There are three Doshas-Vata, Pitta, and Kapha-each derived from the 5 elements and representative of a unique blend of physical, emotional, and mental characteristics inherent in every individual.

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Spicy, sweet Apple Cider with Spices brings back nostalgic memories of easier times past. A few sips from a heavy mug invite tastes of spicy cinnamon, warm nutmeg, and exotic clove bring depth and complexity to sweetly sour apple juice. Traditionally sipped at fall and winter celebrations, mulling…