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The Physical Body, Social Media & Your Brain

Social Media & Your Brain

It’s understood in the Yoga Tradition, and has even been scientifically proven, that simply moving and stretching the body with breath awareness as an anchor can begin to shift the habitual patterns of our brain. Therefore, the state of our brain can be directly related to so much of what is ailing our physical body. But a new variable in this equation is the link between social media and how it’s forming habitual patterns that we may or may not be in control of.

How we perceive the world and what makes up our daily mental chatter has a direct relationship to the physical condition of the body.

If your mental space is caught up in a spiral of negative thoughts, this in turn will likely lead you to feel depressed, agitated, anxious, or dull. How you digest your thoughts can also have a tremendous effect on how you digest your food. How many times have you scrolled through your phone, email, instagram, or any other form of social media and felt really good and energized afterwards? Do you find yourself reaching for a device when you’re not feeling your best? Unfortunately, social media platforms, which were originally created in an effort to connect us, are now seeking to keep us addicted and caught in a dangerous loop of distraction and dissatisfaction. Which in turn leads us towards more and more disconnect with ourselves, with those around us, and the environment in which we live.

One of the core teachings behind the Tantrik Yoga Tradition is that our Prana (energy) follows our focus and what we choose to focus our attention on will also direct our energy. 

When our energy goes into mental processing in a push towards personal perfection, more possessions, or fame, it becomes a never-ending process that can lead to a deep sense that we can never be fulfilled, that life is never enough, and a deep insecurity and fear begin to set it. According to the wisdom of Ayurveda and Tantra, it happens because we are confused (or experiencing avidya – mis-knowing) and we have forgotten that the continual processing towards perfection, a quest to avoid pain, disappointment and gain things that feel good, leads us to the false belief that we are not good enough already.

It is in this confusion that we forget that, deep within, lies a bottomless well of support and freedom, and it is this light that will bridge the gap of freedom from the duality of good and bad, as well as a gateway into peace. Therefore, it is essential that we take recognition of this interplay happening within our internet communities. It is time to take charge in order to intentionally use such platforms for a source of good and constructive education (like they were initially intended to be). This will limit the power that it has over our physical and mental wellbeing.

How To Take Back Control

 

Work with the Brain

What are the negative beliefs about yourself that you tell yourself? The story you repeat to yourself?

How has it affected you? Your relationships? Your ability to be intimate? Your creativity? Gratification? Or, your ability to enjoy life? 

Whatever your answer may be, most likely these are FEAR-based beliefs. We create beliefs steeped in fear when we are trying to protect ourselves from failing or falling short. We start to believe that a negative belief is better than being steeped in uncertainty, or failing. Then, we look for anything that supports our belief, so the lean towards the negative gets amplified. (This is what happens with endless scrolling, or fill in the blank with your negative addiction).

We must learn how to step out of this prison of fears and turn them into a source for healing and growth. When we live from love and awareness our whole world view becomes more focused. Neurologists have found this to be true. When studying the brain it was found that when we are feeling negative thoughts our learning centers shut down, which directly affects our body and our ability to respond to life.

First Step

Become aware of your thoughts.

This is the process of metacognition. Once we become mindful of our thoughts, we’ll have a better chance at not believing our thoughts. Your thoughts are a mental representation of reality. They are real and are happening, but they are NOT reality itself. You cannot always trust what you think as truth.

Whatever the tantrika focuses on, that will become the inclination of her mind. 

If you know the difference between your a) thoughts, and b) reality, you can change how you respond and be less reactive. Start by making time for a daily practice that cultivates more objectivity (observer/Shiva consciousness) to wake you up out of your thoughts and allow stillness.

Start simple. This practice does not have to be difficult. It's about setting consistent intentions and finding time for silence.

Close your eyes, place one hand on your belly, and the other on your heart, skin to skin.

Take a few deep breaths into your own belly, your own heart. Keep breathing equal parts inhale into exhale until you taste a tiny drop of silence. Continue this practice daily until gradually your taste of silence becomes longer and longer. You can also pause throughout the day and come back to this morning's intention.

Second Step

Make changes towards more of what you want

Environment

Where we live has a huge impact on our health and wellbeing. It’s important to feel supported by your environment and to love where you live. If you love where you are living you will be inspired and motivated to show up as the best version of yourself. Get clear on your living environment in order to fully thrive. And, if you feel like a change is necessary, make a practical timeline for change in order to gather the resources you need. If switching up your environment is somehow out of your control, really focus in on the other factors below.

Community

Love the ones you're with. Being surrounded by like-minded people and loved ones elevates our serotonin and dopamine which helps combat the symptoms associated with times of high stress or fight-or-flight. This is especially important for women. We are biologically hard-wired to tend and befriend. If you are feeling low, unable to concentrate, or stuck in a negative spiral, make sure that you are getting in adequate time for friendship. And, it doesn’t have to be about you! Helping others (tend) also has a huge impact when it comes to enhancing your mood and the health of your brain.

Social Media Engagement

This is a big topic and perhaps the largest factor when it comes to society’s declining mental stability. We have become so dependent on these little devices. We are letting devices run the show and it is imperative that we take back the reins of our mental health. Start by setting guidelines on how often you allow yourself to use social media. This includes instagram, facebook, youtube, email, podcasts, etc. Maybe even designate certain days throughout the week where you completely eliminate your usage. (Keep a lookout for our ongoing community digital detoxes, including the #ShaktiShutDown in a couple of weeks). Be selective about accounts you follow. Are they helping to lift you up? Look through who you follow and delete accounts/people who are not positive or do not bring you joy. Only you can determine your personal healthy boundaries. Make a plan, stay consistent, and perhaps have an accountability buddy to keep you on track. This is your brain we’re talking about! The iPhone now has a Screen Time function that allows you to put a limit on how long you spend on certain apps and when you use them. Set up your preference. There’s a version of this app in the Google Play store for Android users.

Check out this new documentary: The Social Dilemma (2020)

And these studies:

Exercise

Of course it’s important to do some form of exercise every day. This doesn’t have to be a HIIT class every day, but even a daily walk will help stimulate and regulate the mind in a positive way. Pay attention to what your body needs. Some days you will need to sweat and some days you will need to create space for rest. (Don’t forget that deep rest is just, if not more, important than being active). It’s also helpful to maintain low levels of exercise throughout the day. This can help to stabilize your mind and will allow for you to come back to that morning intention. If you work at a desk, set a timer on the hour for every hour you sit. Get up and do 10 air squats, 10 lunges, 10 windmills of your arms. Draw your shoulders back and open your chest. This will help to relieve stress and stagnation. You can also do this throughout the day even if you do not have a desk job.

Purpose

Are you living out your life’s purpose? Are you being lit up by what you do? That might be mothering your child, bagging groceries, or slinging that CEO life, but whatever it is you should be doing it with JOY and feeling inspired on a regular basis. Our working life makes up so much of our daily lives, so it’s important that we love what we are doing. And, of course every job (dream job or not) will have dull moments. That is normal and healthy. It’s important to face challenges for growth and renewal. Overall your job should give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, week, or month. And, if it’s constantly causing you more stress. Change it up! I know it’s scary to make big changes, especially when they have financial consequences, but if you are truly unhappy with what you are doing, I promise you that by listening to your passions combined with your unique skills, success is sure to follow. And, if you are really struggling to find just what that purpose is, our flagship one-year Ayurveda training might be the container you need to open your eyes to your soul’s deepest longing 🙂

Food

Notice how this is last on the list? If you are reading this blog post chances are you already have a pretty good start when it comes to what you are feeding your body. And if not, we have plenty of good resources for you in The Shakti School Blog. But when it comes to brain health and dealing with stubborn negative thought patterns, often we cannot clean-eat our way out of it. Of course research shows us that high doses of vitamin D, upping our omega 3’s, and getting enough high quality oils can boost our brain health; but it is still essential to work through the other obstacles that are keeping you from your ultimate freedom. It’s always smart to eat whole foods that are nutrient dense, lightly cooked, and spiced according to the season and to your constitution. Eat in a calm atmosphere, give gratitude before meals, and eat until you are 75% full. To put it simply, when your life feels chaotic, simplify your plate.

Freedom Hands
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All About Coffee

COFFEE blog

How to Biohack Your Morning Cup of Coffee, Caffeine Alternatives That Actually Taste Good, & Why Cutting Out Caffeine Could Help Save Your Hormones

Did you say Coffee? Heck yes, of course I love coffee. I don’t know many people who don’t. Especially when it’s paired with your favorite creamy frothed nut milk, full fat coconut cream, or a little raw honey and a dash of cinnamon. Wait a second, isn’t this article supposed to help me get off the coffee craze?!  Well, kind of. The key is not to completely eliminate your favorite beverage all together. We want to help you find new (and perhaps tastier) ways to consume your favorite stimulant, but it’s possible that after reading this you might be excited to try other alternatives. The point is that you are choosing a morning beverage that is supportive and balancing to your individual health while also maintaining the rituals that you love.

Caffeine, like any strong stimulant, is highly addictive. This is why it can become increasingly difficult when it comes to limiting your consumption. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing is never really all that good. There is a famous quote in the Bhagavad Gita explaining, "that which seems like nectar at first, eventually will taste like poison.” The key is finding the appropriate balance and applying moderation to everything you choose to take into your body. Finding balance will differ from person to person and is best discovered after you have first eliminated the stimulant, allowed for a detox period, and then slowly added it back in. (This goes for most foods and allergens). Another way to determine whether or not you tolerate coffee is through genetic testing. It might sound extreme, but genetic testing can give you a lot of insight to what’s going on internally. However, I’ve found that the elimination method is super effective. It is only then that you can really figure out where your sweet spot is and whether or not you’re overdoing it with your caffeine intake.

Overloading your system with caffeine can lead to some unwanted negative side effects to your health. Caffeine, especially coffee, elevates your cortisol (your body’s main stress hormone) which can wreak havoc on your endocrine system (especially if you are a woman). And, when your hormones are out of whack this can then lead to a lot of other issues like: sleep disturbances, weight gain or a stall in weight loss, PMS, increased anxiety, increased blood pressure, and that unwanted jittery feeling.

Ugh, sounds like a lot right? 

The good news is there are SO many amazing coffee alternatives out there with tremendous benefits to your health. Once you get past your initial caffeine withdrawal you might even like your new replacement beverage even better than your usual beloved cup of coffee.

Our Favorite Coffee Alternatives

Rasa Original Herbal Coffee: Backed by Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rasa herbal blends are packed with herbs and adaptogens to give you more wakeful energy without stressing out your nervous system. Also in Rasa’s line up:

LAKA Matcha Green Tea: Although green tea still has caffeine is has significantly less and it also includes L-Theanine which helps to calm the nervous system

Paavani Hydrating Blend: Another ayurvedic herbal alternative. They have also a nice Rooibos Tea

Four Sigmatic Reishi Cocoa Blend & Foursigmatic Matcha Green Tea

  • For 10% OFF Four Sigmatic with promo code SHAKTIFOUR

If You're Still Going to Drink Coffee...

Don’t worry, there is an upside to all of this. The good news is that it is true there are some benefits to drinking small amounts of coffee. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid which is the main component contributing to it being a good source for antioxidants. Additionally, studies continuously show that drinking coffee increases your lifespan, aids in liver detoxification, increases insulin sensitivity and improves beta cell function, and not to mention it leaves you with a little boost.

If you have determined that you can tolerate coffee (through elimination and reintroduction or by testing your genetics), you still want to be extra careful when it comes to which coffee you choose and how you prepare it. If you’re not ready to kick coffee to the curb, here are some helpful tips:

  • Always Buy Organic: Non-organic coffee is one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Those narly chemicals & pesticides go straight into your morning brew and have an affinity for female reproductive organs.
  • Always Buy Mold-Free: Unfortunately, coffee is one the #1 food item in the grocery store that is highly susceptible to mold. Make sure to do your research on your favorite roasts to ensure that you’re drinking the cleanest coffee possible. Many coffee companies are starting to advertise for mold testing.
  • Choose darker roasts: darker blends actually have the least amount of caffeine
  • Don’t Filter Out the Healthy Oils: Using a metal filter, a french press, or any other brewing method where you’re not losing the oils to a paper strainer (those oils are the source of antioxidants
  • Use Spring Water
  • Properly Store Your Coffee: Coffee beans are best stored in an opaque, airtight container, not in the freezer or stored in glass on your kitchen counter. Coffee is highly absorbent so it’s best to keep it away from moisture, sunlight, oxygen, or other odors that could diminish the benefits of your coffee.
  • Consider Adding Fat: Blending your coffee with fat such as grass-fed butter or coconut oil may help to avoid a blood pressure spike which could also cause  an increase in cortisol.

Our Favorite Coffee Products

Herbal Cacoa Latte
(can also be made with coffee 😉

-1 cup of hot rasa coffee (or your favorite mold-free coffee)  

-1 tablespoons organic cacao powder

-1 tablespoon coconut butter 

-1 tablespoon cashew butter

-1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon 

-1 scoop of collagen (optional)

-¼ cup of warm nut milk (optional) 

-A tiny dash of cardamom

Place all ingredients in a high powered blender, blend on high for 15 seconds, pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!

Herbal Cacoa Latte

References

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Letter from Katie

Letter from Katie

My Love Letter to You This Month

This is a major time for change. The Solstice is coming. Can you feel the quickening weather changes? The tides turning? That SOLAR energy asking us to burn the old and snake-skin shed into our BECOMING? Yeah, me too. And it's not always easy to shed our skin.

When I heard of the murder of George Floyd weeks back, I intentionally held back on speaking. Truthfully, my own nervous system felt just completely overwhelmed. I wanted to process in order to be able to respond appropriately. I wanted to be able to come to the community as a beacon of stability and love.

I feel that capacity online in my system now. I know this is not about me or what is going on in my personal life. I just want you to know why I didn’t respond immediately. It was because I wanted to respond thoughtfully, authentically and from a resourced place.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve been communicating with trusted friends and colleagues, both BIPOC and white friends that I know have a background in race equity. They have recommended resources to me, both professionally and personally, to deepen my education on how to be a better race advocate and ally.

My response has also been slow because I'm committed to authenticity. I don't want to be just another white person parroting back the current narrative used by many, and then moving on. I actually want to be changed and melted by this. This is the definition of yoga - to have the unconscious stuff made conscious.

This is a whole body, emotional experience. It is not enough to simply write an instagram post. I want to act and stand in solidarity with the Black community in dismantling racism once and for all. And I also want it to come from a trauma-informed, authentic place within me. 

And I also want to honor the fact that there are as many black experiences and opinions as there are black people. I realize that we are in a very necessary deconstruction time, where race matters. But I also hope that this break down can lead to a rebuilding that does hold true to the vision of MLK - where we will be judged by who we are and not the color of our skin. I realize that is a journey that will take time and effort from all of us.

I come before this topic with much humility and even moments of confusion. I am not an expert, in any way shape or form in this realm. I am a somewhat new student to this world, and I will make a conscious effort to continue to learn because it is important to our mind, body, soul and the well-being of others.

I am also deeply aware that it is so difficult for many white people to speak at this moment in a way that doesn’t hurt, dismiss or offend and I want to walk gently. I also believe that ALL beings have the right to think for themselves and should never be coerced or shamed.

We must shed light on systemic racism, frustration and the hurt that black and indigenous Americans have endured for hundreds of years.

So here is what I am committed to doing:

Perhaps by hearing this, you may feel inspired to write a list of actionable items that you will commit to do to bring about change.

  • I will speak up-personally and publicly on my commitment to being an advocate on terms that feel authentic to me.
  • I will personally commit to deepening my ongoing education on race and history by reading books and following leaders who I feel embody wisdom, fierce love and a trauma-informed approach.
  • In addition to the work we have done with charity and scholarships programs here at Shakti School, we will be doubling our Diversity Scholarship recipients for the 2021 school year.
  • We'll be partnering with our mentors and teachers to create more learning content that addresses issues such as racial diversity in the wellness/Ayurveda community, cultural appropriation and other concerns.
  • I will personally make donations and $ contributions to the organizations and thought leaders that I feel are in alignment with the support of black voices and healing for all.

I am not perfect. None of us are. I am going to do and say things, perhaps even in this letter to you, that may hold unconscious aspects of my bias and ignorance. But I am committed to showing up fully, with the capacity that I have each day, and in a way that feels right in my heart, towards being a support to the BIPOC community, as well as all beings who need to be heard. I ask that you truly use this school as a home for your body to unravel pain patterns. I ask that you USE the support and resources you have learned here with us to do the work as well.

The Shakti School is a home for people to work with being more in tune with the natural rhythms of our bodies. We are NOT a school that will teach a particular brand of social justice theory. We are NOT a school that will teach a particular ideology or politicized perspective. We welcome all women, of all backgrounds, including women who identify as trans.

Here we can support students by sharing ancient health wisdom that can support our bodies and minds in this incredibly challenging moment to come back into wholeness and goodness and safety. I can support you all by guiding us back into our bodies in a time where the images and news media’s words, while necessary to stay informed, are oftentimes so overwhelming and unsettling to our animal body and bones. These are the areas where I feel I can most support this community during this time. Here, with you, in this school, because we are SO firmly dedicated to being a place where the body can heal. And I am good at holding space for this.

Lastly, I am also aware of that which does lie beyond our colors and races and backgrounds, which is the spirit within. This spirit is untouched by the injustices of the past and the present. Allowing this part of us to ALSO be here, alongside the pain and reactivity and confusion and fear and anger. Allowing this part to ALSO be here in NO WAY detracts from the deeper and uncomfortable work that we must do, especially those of us who have existed in a world that has historically valued whiteness, to unravel that bias and unawareness. 

It is HARD to take a look at our shadows, both culturally and individually, but if it is done in the spirit of Kali (fierce love) it is the fastest way towards our growth, and towards actually being able to connect with one another.

I hope you will join me in this global effort. Let’s grow our capacity to treat each other as individuals, with love, to use critique to uplift and not tear down.

With love,

Katie

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Wellness Inspired Interior Design

Wellness Inspired Interior Design

How to fine tune your Home to suit your Ayurvedic Life

For many of us, our home is the space where we spend the majority of our time. And if not, it’s at least the space where we return to for rest, comfort, rejuvenation, and joy. That’s why it's essential for overall wellness that the home is styled in a way that energetically supports the activity intended for the space. When it comes to wellness, where we go to rest and recover at the end of each day is vital.

There have been countless research studies showing the benefits of having a clear and calm space. Some of the top benefits are brain health and stress reduction. According to a study from Cornell University, stress triggered by clutter may also trigger negative coping patterns such as eating junk food, oversleeping, or binge-watching TV! So, not only will having an organized space help you be more productive, but it might help to minimize some of the bad habits you’ve been trying to break. When our homes are in harmony with our heart + health it can really affect how we show up in our day to day lives.

Jumpstarting Your Design Room by Room

1. The Bedroom: Make your Bed!

Making your bed plays a huge role in your overall health and how you set the intention for the day. It’s also the first step to keeping your bedroom free from clutter. Not making your bed in the morning can really set you up for adding more mess to the room throughout the day with the attitude of “I’ll get to it later…” This is the attitude you want to avoid. As much as possible try to do little things throughout the day that add to the organization or cleanliness of your space.

Studies show that simply making your bed every morning can have a huge impact on sleep, your mood, and your productivity. The same study demonstrated how sleep was dramatically improved when the sheets were clean. So, the first step for getting organized is to always start the day by making your bed (with clean sheets—I aim to wash them once a week).

For spaces to be in alignment with your Ayurvedic life (or to feel more in balance) it should easily welcome the activity intended for the space. The bedroom should be the space that is only for rest, sleep, and intimate activity. To support these activities, the bedroom should make you feel calm. Try to minimize any excess clutter in this room, keep it clean (especially free of dust to promote a healthy sex life), and choose colors that are more muted to promote rest and ease. Neutral shades like creams, beiges, antique white, and light pink are perfect colors for a bedroom. Or, if you don’t like white, go for the softer tones of your favorite colors.

Bedroom

For objects in the bedroom, keep it minimalistic. You really only need some beeswax candles, possibly a couple of plants to purify the air, and whatever book you’re nighttime reading calls for at your bedside table. When it comes to art, try to find something that makes you feel at ease and sparks joy, but isn’t too overstated.

2. The Living Room: Display only what you LOVE and what gives LIFE

The living room is the area where you welcome guests. This is the space that can be more vibrant, active, and entertaining when it comes to your decor. But, at the same time you still want to minimize clutter (that goes for every area of the house). This doesn’t mean you can’t have your favorite sculpture sitting out or other relics and treasures, but the key is for everything in the room to have a life and to be something you love. Otherwise, objects will hold dullness and that will be expressed into the energy of the room. The living room is an area where you may have more pops of color: a citrus green pillow, eclectic art, or your favorite purple chair. When creating a space that’s more active and welcoming it’s still important to balance the elements. If you have a lot of modern pieces, try to focus more on adding some natural elements to the space like a wooden sculpture, a beautiful pottery piece filled with sticks, or a handwoven textile.

3. The Kitchen: Merging Function and Inspiration

The kitchen is one of my favorite spaces in the house. Similarly to the living room, this room should also be welcoming, warm and spark inspiration. The kitchen is often where we begin and end each day. For many people it's not only the space where we are fed and nourished physically, but emotionally as well. It can be the key place for conversation, for networking, the blossoming of ideas, friendships and more. Cooking requires that you use your imagination, your creativity, and that you are careful. It is because of that that the kitchen must invite you to express yourself!

Mama Silcox Kitchen

Many designers refer to the kitchen as the “hearth” of the house, or even the “womb” of the house. The kitchen plays such an important role to the health and harmony of the entire home, it is SO important to keep the kitchen clean. When your kitchen is clean and organized it makes cooking easier and more fun.

If you don’t have a problem staying organized, open shelving can be a beautiful way to display your favorite dishes and can give them more life. We've found that open shelving leads us to use so much of the kitchen that was once hidden behind a door. However, if keeping things tidy really is difficult for you or if your kitchen already has a lot going on, it might be best to keep your cabinet doors on. 🙂

For centuries human beings have thrived off of food and connecting to the nature that provided sustenance, so bringing more elements that invoke nature will be beneficial in keeping that connection alive. Try adding materials like wood, stone, and greenery to the space. Items like wooden spoons, decorative wooden platters hung on the wall, stone bowls filled with brightly colored fruit, or even hang your own potted herb garden.

4. The Entrance: Make It Special 

The entrance, or foyer, of the house stems from the Latin word focarium, which means the "center of focus.” When you are greeted by the foyer of your home after a long day it’s best to be greeted with the feeling of opening arms, ease, and comfort. Your entrance should invoke a sense of happy relief to be home, not a reminder of the chores on your to-do list. Try to keep it a “dumping” free zone. Don’t let your bags, shoes, and coats pile up. Put them in a closet or an armoire as soon as you arrive through the door.

This is a great area of the house to keep fresh flowers. It’s such a sweet reminder of how little things can spark joy and gratitude. The foyer is also a fun place to be a little more expressive with your colors. This is the perfect space to paint the ceiling turquoise or display your favorite piece of art.

5. The Bathroom: Keep It Extra Clean!

We all know what the bathroom is intended for. There’s a lot that takes place in the bathroom that is vital for our health (we won’t get into that here). But, it is perhaps the most important area of the house with the potential to create bliss. Because of that the bathroom should always be kept clean. The bathroom is one of the easiest places to clean as you go: wipe down the sink after every use, take the trash out more often, keep a natural all-purpose cleaner in your shower to spray between uses (you can transfer it to a minimal glass jar to create an aesthetically pleasing look), keep your favorite hand towel out and refold it between uses.

I also love adding additional items that smell of my favorite bright essential oils. Keeping a candle lit in the bathroom (when you’re home) can be an easy way to maintain a nice fresh smell. Or, find your favorite space mist to keep the area feeling cleansed. This is also a great space for fresh flowers!

6. The Inbetween Spaces: One Step At A time

Creating the perfect design tweaks and establishing more order in your home is a process. When it comes to design, don’t try to change up the entire house all at once. It's best to start with one room at a time. Take time to make each room special. This is also helpful when it comes to organizing, but as for cleanliness, that’s something you can do right away. In fact, I would encourage you to first clean your house, then organize, then do the designing. You may find just through cleaning your house and getting rid of some unused objects that it enliven the space enough that it feels like a completely new home!

Key Tips To Takeaway

  • Move things around every once in a while to give it a fresh look and allow for your relics to have new life!
  • Be mindful of cleanliness throughout the day to avoid a huge task at the end of the week
  • Open the windows to invite fresh air into your home and to help circulate the air
  • Splurge on fresh flowers every once in a while or if you’re lucky pick them from your yard as often as the weather permits
  • Organize hidden nooks and crannies to alleviate hidden to-do tasks filling your brain space throughout the day
  • Most importantly, create a space that you LOVE!

Products We Love For The Home

Paavani Aromatherapy Space Mist

Somavedic EMF Harmonizers

References

Survey by the National Sleep Foundation

Human Visual Cortex

Clutter, Chaos, and Overconsumption

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What are EMFs?

What are EMFs

How to Limit Your Exposure to EMFs and Avoid The Potential Health Risks

During the Coronavirus epidemic we've probably all spent more time on our phones and computers than we would care to admit. And while these devices help to keep us connected and informed through such a troubling and uncertain time, we've mostly likely increased our exposure to EMFs.

An Electromagnetic Field (EMF) is a continuous field produced by electrically charged objects such as your cellphones and Wi-Fi. EMF travels in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light and this propagation is called electromagnetic radiation. Some electromagnetic fields are produced naturally, like the low intensity EMF emitted by our body. However, tech-made EMF — those transmitted by cellphones and Wi-Fi — are unnatural and can cause health risks. (getlambs)

Another definition according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, EMFs are “invisible areas of energy, often referred to as radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power.”

Harmful EMFs are not only produced by our cell phones and laptops, but are also from other devices like baby monitors, all bluetooth devices, cordless phones, smart thermostats, and Wi-Fi routers. So, what are the potential hidden dangers of these devices? Unfortunately, EMFs can cause potential health risks such as:

  • Cancer
  • Tumors
  • Oxidative stress
  • Reproductive harm
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cognitive and memory effect
  • Behavioral problems in children
  • Increased risks during pregnancy
  • Effects on testosterone
  • Cell growth and proliferation
Technology EMFs

Along with these risk factors, if exposed to too many EMFs, you can start to feel down right cranky. EMFs have also been known to have an effect on your circadian rhythm, your mood, your energy levels, and even your metabolism.

This may sound like a lot of bad news. Especially since it’s really difficult to control the placement of cell towers or how often we might need to use said devices for work or connection. But, fortunately there are some things we can do to limit our exposure to EMFs even if we have to be on the computer all day long…

    • Create guidelines to discipline yourself around how much time you spend on the phone/computer. Try to minimize unproductive insta-cruising.
    • Put your phone in airplane mode when you know you aren't going to be using it
    • Make sure your bluetooth is off when you’re not using it (iPhones now default to having it on)
    • Avoid using smart appliances
    • Try not to carry your phone directly on your body
    • Use the speakerphone instead of putting the phone to your ear
    • Do not sit your laptop on your lap!! (Especially not near your reproductive organs)
    • Avoid using your computer or phone when they're plugged into the wall as much as possible
    • Ditch the microwave!
    • Unplug your wi-fi routers at night or whenever you’re not using them
    • Increase your Vitamin D exposure (sunlight helps to mitigate the damage effects)
    • Use EMF blocking apparel (see links below for our favorites)
Lush forest

Increasing your exposure to sunshine and walking in the forest can have tremendous benefits when it comes to mitigating the harmful effects of EMFs.

References and Resources

Health Implications of Electromagnetic Fields, Mechanisms of Action, and Research Needs

Ben Greenfield Fitness Podcast: “5G Dangers & The Shocking Truth About You Getting "EMF'D"

Dr. Joseph Mercola’s Books:EMF*D: 5G, Wi-Fi & Cell Phones: Hidden Harms and How to Protect Yourself

EMF Blocking Apparel: One of our favorite EMF blocking apparel companies is LAMBS. They are doing some pretty amazing things when it comes to blocking the parts of your body you want to protect the most: your reproductive organs. They carry men's underwear, a T-Shirt (can be universal), and a beanie for protecting your brain! Their women’s line is launching soon and we are so excited to have partnered with them. For 20% off your first order just use the code SHAKTIXLAMBS. We love using their products especially for traveling on a plane when EMF exposure is at its highest.

Blue Blocking Glasses

BluShield EMF Blockers

SomaVedic Home & Travel EMF Harmonizers - Use discount code SHAKTI as checkout for 10% off

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10 Books to Read When You’re Feeling Lousy

10 Books to Read When Feeling Lousy

We all go through periods of ups and downs. It can be really difficult at times to pull your spirit up when it feel as if you're being challenged or tested from all directions. Reading is the perfect way to take a break from the negative mental spirals that could be swirling around in your head. It can be so helpful to take pause and read something uplifting, inspiring, or comical to nudge you back into the right direction of positive thinking and give you perspective.

Here are a few of our favorite uplifting reads.

For more of our favorites books, visit the Books We Love section of the blog.

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Tips for Sanity

Tips for sanity blog banner

We have shifted into a new way of living.

Being forced with no other choice than to embrace the uncertainty of each day, it’s not always easy to feel motivated or excited about staying at home and keeping “distance”. That’s why it’s helpful to call up your best friend, your mom, or your neighbor to share tips on how to keep feeling inspired and spread positivity. That’s why our team is sharing our current and favorite mood boosting tips. Here are just a few insights to what we’re listening to, what self-care we're loving, and what we’re snacking on.

Katie Online

Katie Silcox
Our Founder & C.E.O.

What music are you listening to? A lot of Beach House and electronic dance music....just gotta move! You can follow me on Spotify @Katie Rebecca Silcox

What’s your favorite podcast episode? The recent This American Life blew my mind - it's called "The Test"

What are you eating? Lots of salmon, smoothies, broths, sweet potatoes, salads with a ton of oil and vinegar, and chips and hummus 🙂

What is your go to product right now? The Wellness Formula

What has been the most helpful for keeping your sanity? Having my sweet friend in town from France. We kept each other strong and sane within the chaos. Also, laying outdoors, gardening, trying to walk everyday and Body Yantra!

Amaury Roseline

Amaury Vaillant
Our C.O.O.

What music are you listening to? Bachata and salsa to keep me moving and upbeat during the day. Joan Shelly's Like the River Loves the Sea in the morning and acoustics in the evenings. Spotify @Amaury Roseline

What’s your favorite podcast episode? Hard to choose! But I really liked Dr. Zach Bush's interview on Rich Roll's podcast from March 26

What are you eating? Lot's of Kitchari and bitter greens

What is your go to product right now? Goddess Ghee's The Hempress in my tea and a massage ball for my neck and shoulders. 

What has been the most helpful for keeping your sanity? Not reading the news and sticking to non-sensational reporting like NPR when I do check the news.

Sarah Waldron

Sarah Waldron
Our Operations, Membership & Event Coordinator

What music are you listening to? I have been listening to a lot of soothing music at night or during work hours: Sigur Ros and Slenderbodies. When I need uplifting or something to dance along to: Trevor Hall, The Revivalists, and the Classic Rock station on Spotify have been my go-tos the past month!

What's your favorite podcast episode? From The Ghee Spot I love We All Need Self-Love Training Wheels along with Haters Gonna Hate. I also love Unladylike for it's random, yet relatable and important topics. It addresses issues and patterns that I've never heard anyone address on a public platform before and brings in a bit of humor as well.

What are you eating? Roasted Garlic Lentil Soup!!  I am making big batches of soup with fresh and grounding ingredients. My favorite so far is my usual homemade lentil soup, but with a bunch of roasted garlic pureed and mixed in. I am also sipping on a tea of lemon, ginger, and tumeric root all day long.

What is your go to product right now? I am loving Life & Pursuits organic body massage oil after my shower. It's so nourishing and absorbs pretty quickly. I've also been taking Pior Living's Chyawanprash every morning with my lemon water to help boost immunity and ojas.

What has been the most helpful for keeping your sanity? Nature!  Getting outside daily for walks with my dog and pausing a lot to take in the subtleties around me. Hunting for morel mushrooms or other spring offerings in the woods is helping me keep my spirits high and bring beauty into each day.  The fresh air feels great after lots of time in the house.

Mary Silcox

Mary Silcox
Our Head of Creative Content & Communications

What music are you listening to? Alicia Keys, Wanda De Sah, and Mandolin Orange.

What’s your favorite podcast episode? Oprah’s Super Soul- Episode with Shawn Anchor (Part 1 & 2) on The Secrets of Happy People and The Life Altering Power of a Positive Mind. So uplifting!!!

What are you eating? Tons of vegetables spiced with turmeric, cumin, & garlic, leafy greens cooked with backyard dandelions, a little bit of fish, blueberries, and roasted carrots dipped in almond butter. 

What is your go to product right now? Foria’s CBD intimacy lube (gotta keep it interesting), Banyans Breast care balm, and magnesium calm. 

What has been the most helpful for keeping your sanity? Facetime hangs with my sister & my mom, SUNSHINE, and my man.

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Ayurveda in the Spring (antiviral tips included)

Ayurveda in the Spring

The beginning of spring is such a magical time of the year. For many of us there is a feeling of relief having survived another winter when there is less sunshine and blue sky to keep our moods elevated. During this time, most of us are overjoyed with the sight of the newly forming buds, the daffodils poking their heads out, and the return of all the chirping birds.

In Ayurveda this is the time when the water and earth elements are most present. When water and earth come together it can make for some pretty beautiful happenings: the growth of new seedlings, flowers bloom, trees grow and reproduce, ice melts, and rivers flow freely. However, when water and earth combine it also forms mud! This mud, or kaphic overload, can take up space in our physical bodies which can cause some imbalances like lethargy, allergies, congestion, and more mucus. And what’s worse: it's often when we're feeling out of balance that we tend to reach for the things that will further take us out of balance such as overeating, laziness, overconsuming sugar or alcohol, or going down a social media spiral. Here are some things you can do to avoid getting stuck in the mud AND that will be extremely helpful for boosting your immunity.

Practices to Pacify Kapha

  • Wake early
  • Dry Brush
  • Exercise first thing in the morning: take a brisk walk, do some jumping jacks, or go on a short run
  • Keep warm
  • Get an invigorating massage
  • Add stimulating music to your playlist
  • Go out dancing!
  • Laugh and spend time with loved ones

Foods Tips to Pacify Kapha

  • Add foods that are pungent, astringent, and bitter: aloe, nettle, dandelion, quinoa & barley, turmeric, mung beans, mustard greens, lemon, spiced broths
  • Add apple cider vinegar to your foods
  • Consume less meat
  • Avoid dairy
  • Add activating spices like Cayenne, ginger, black pepper, and mustard

Herbs & Supplements to Support Immunity, Viral Infections & Decrease Kapha

Herbal Nature Study

It’s important to take care of your health at all times, but especially during flu season and other viral epidemics. These foods, supplements, and practices will help to boost your immunity and to ward off viral disease.

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