Crowdsourcing in Lifestyles

Crowdsourcing in Lifestyles

Several ideas popped up in my mind while pondering a theme for Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu finale this Sunday: “Modulate behavior through life practices”, “Balance Your Nature”, “Food for Healing”, “Food as Medicine”, “Genes are not your destiny, “Culture trumps everything”, “Satsang”, etc. I wanted to have all these addressed in the same evening through practice, discussion and interaction with my good friends who have recognized the benefits yoga, meditation, mindfulness and other healthy life practices. With everything we are planning for that gathering, with contributions from participants and with ensuing discussions, nothing came out as apt as “Crowdsourcing in lifestyles” as the theme for the day.

So, welcome to Crowdsourcing in lifestyles! A “Satsang” to meet, greet and explore the benefits of time tested practices that are ignored by many in the modern world this Sunday (June 25, 2017 from 5 to 7 PM in Cambridge Chase park: 1359 Haversham Dr., Aurora, IL 60502)

Whom you may meet?

Vade Sankar

Vade is a Community Health Advocate and Social Entrepreneur with years of experience in various branches of yoga and Emotional Freedom Technique. Vade’s latest venture is the community wide health and wellness program (Be Café) in Downers Grove. According to Vade, the mission of the Café is to support individuals to reach their highest potential by reconnecting to their mind, body and spirit through natural super foods and drinks. “Health is the greatest wealth”, believes Vade. Vade will present how antioxidant super foods detox and reboot our immune system.

Christy Kabbani

Christy is the Founder / Owner / Head Chef of World Fusion Cuisine that specializes in creating meals based on the concept “food is medicine”. Christy is the executive Chef for Be Café for corporate events and workshops. Christy’s Mediterranean inspired recipes and the ability to personalize them to cater the needs of people with specials needs have been inspiration for many. Christy will demonstrate the benefits of rainbow salad with a turmeric dressing.

Karen Ryan

Karen is a Life Coach and Certified Yoga Teacher. Her yoga practice embraces ashtanga philosophy, pranayama, meditation and self-love in a self-nurturing ambiance. She guides participants in healthy living through yoga with meditation for physical and mental balance. Karen is a practicing travelling yogi and a compassionate wellness consultant whose ability to deliver the art, science and philosophy of yoga is remarkable. I am happy and proud to have Karen on board.

Schedule

5-5.45 PM: Yoga Practice: Theme: Yoga to Balance Doshas

We are what we do with our life; it’s not a legacy; it’s not the lineage. Most ailments, according to Ayurveda, could be attributed to the imbalances in three doshas: vata, pita and kapha. Each dosha has its own attributes and endow a character to a person. Understanding one’s character is the beginning of our refinement. Yoga poses and sequences may be tailored to address these imbalances (deviations from our nature) in us. Please see my blog http://twinheartyoga.blogspot.com/2016/05/ to read more about doshas and how yoga helps to balance doshas. We will practice yoga poses and sequences to balance the doshas.

5.45 to 6 PM; Pranayama and Meditation; Theme: Nurture Kindness

Deep breathing in mindfulness triggers parasympathetic nervous system stimulating “rest and digest” and “feed and breed” mechanisms. This is opposite to the “fight or flight” stimulation triggered by sympathetic nervous system and shallow breathing. Yoga, meditation, pranayama techniques, corpse pose (savasana- easiest pose to perform but hardest pose to master), Mindful Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and prayer could all lead one to mindfulness and kindness. Is there a better way to enter into a party than with a kind heart!

6-7 PM: Food for healing; Theme: Genes are not your destiny

“Mediterranean food extends life span”; “identical twins do not have same genetically controlled diseases”; “you’re not the one you’re born to be”… All these statements have a common denominator: our culture and practices override everything. “Fixed gene” model is changing to a more fluid expression of genes. Fitness instructors and life style councilors often stumble upon these fossilized statements: “I was born like this”; “this is what I am”. I find it hard to accept these avowals. Who are you? Burgeoning evidences from epigenetic (over genetics) studies show what we do with our life (what we eat, what we do, etc.) determine how we look, present and perform; life practices control your nature and “culture trumps everything.” It appears that the food we eat, the exercise we do and our life practices act as switches and dials for the 25,000 some human genes that control our destiny.

Hear Christy Kabbani and Vade Sankar to re-organize your food platter to control your intuition, ability to express your emotions, compassion, gut feeling, addiction, sensuality, relationship and balance. Foods sensitize chakras- the energy centers in our body. Yoga philosophy reiterate how the practice of yoga strongly connected to what we take in (prana) and how. Our food needs to be polychromatic. It’s time for us to embrace the ancient wisdom in culinary art; it is time for us to adopt the time tested life style practices from our traditions. We will also explore the role of essential oils in modulating our life.

Hope to see you all,

Jay

P. S. Feel free to bring one of your favorite dishes, drinks or juice to share.