Author: Anna Godfrey

Balancing Butterfly Pose (Malasana)

What is Balancing Butterfly Pose?
Balancing butterfly pose is a variation of malasana or garland pose. Here, the yogi balances on the toes with the hands in prayer. The pose stretches the feet and develops both strength and balance.
Instructions
Begin standing with the feet together.Exhale and lower into a squat.Place the fingertips on the floor in front of the feet to find stability. Open the knees wide and lift onto the toes, bringing the balls of the feet and heels to touch.Slowly bring the hands to prayer in front of the chest and then toward the sky.Breathe while holding the pose.Place the fingertips on the floor, bring the knees together, and inhale to stand.

Show Me Your Temper

A Zen student came to Bankei and complained: “Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?”
“You have something very strange,” replied Bankei. “Let me see what you have.”
“Just now I cannot show it to you,” replied the other.
“When can you show it to me?” asked Bankei.
“It arises unexpectedly,” replied the student.
“Then,” concluded Bankei, “it must not be your own true nature. If it were, you could show it to me at any time. When you were born you did not have it, and your parents did not give it to you. Think that over.”

Dopamine Detox

What is a dopamine detox?
A dopamine detox is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by Dr. Cameron Sepah, a California-based psychiatrist intent on helping people manage addictive behaviors.
Sepah thinks that consciously limiting addictive activities can promote more flexible thinking and increase awareness of impulsive behaviors in people.
Contrary to what the name suggests, Sepah’s dopamine fasting program aims to increase dopamine levels rather than deprive the brain of dopamine. In fact, Sepah is noted in the New York Times as saying that one should not take the name of his cognitive behavioral therapy method literally.
The misinterpretation of dopamine fasting has led to a popular fad of denying yourself any pleasurable experiences with the unsubstantiated belief that doing this will “reset” your brain or help lower the threshold at which you experience pleasure.
What dopamine fasting is NOT
Sedah specifically states in his protocol that dopamine fasting isn’t:
reducing dopamineavoiding all pleasuresocial isolationstopping exercisea form of meditation
Tips to help you detox from dopamine
1. Creating barriers
Original dopamine fasting involves making an undesirable habit difficult to participate in. This can mean:
putting something out of reach or line of sightmaking it inconvenientlimiting time spent with others sharing the habitinstalling blocking apps and softwaregiving someone else control of necessary resources, like credit cards
2. Selecting beneficial alternatives
Once you’ve made it challenging to engage in the undesired behavior, the next step is to pick an alternative experience that promotes your well-being.
Options may include things such as:
exerciseplaying with a petreadingdrawing or paintingcalling a loved onemeditatingvolunteering
3. Understanding underlying causes
Part of dopamine detox is understanding why you want to engage in a specific activity. If your underlying feeling is boredom, for example, recognizing when you’re bored can help keep you from impulsively going to the undesired activity.
Journaling may be beneficial in emotional exploration, allowing you to recognize and put names to the feelings you experience throughout the day.

Grounding Techniques

There are multiple ways to perform grounding—making direct skin contact with the surface of the earth (grass, sand, soil, or water). Grounding methods include:
Walking barefoot outdoors on grass, sand, or soilStanding in humid soil or sand with bare feetGardening or simply pressing your bare hands into grass, soil, or waterSitting with your bare feet positioned flat on the groundLying flat on grass, sand, or soil with your back, legs, or arms bareSubmerging yourself in a natural body of water, such as a pond, river, lake, or ocean

Ayurveda Recipes: Honey Coco-Butter

Feeling tired? Wake up your body with a spoonful of delicious Honey Coco-Butter. This completely natural, whole food is an energy-building treat. Coconut’s stimulating richness restores your vigor and vitality with a nutty aroma that gratifies the senses. It provides a nourishing alternative to coffee that treats the root cause of exhaustion without the jitters of caffeine!
For centuries, people have swarmed to honey, the nectar of the gods, for its tonic properties. The ancient Greeks used honey to prevent the breakdown of muscles after heavy physical strain, to rebuild strength, and virility, and to improve endurance. As it helps stimulate the metabolism, honey can even combat low energy in the elderly or those with weak constitutions. You feel renewed vigor as honey raises your heart rate and warms your core. Honey is quickly and efficiently used and absorbed by the body, providing fast relief.
Ingredients
4 c COCONUT FLAKES
1/2 c HONEY
Instructions
1. Start with fresh, unsweetened, dried coconut flakes. Prepare 1.5c coconut butter according to the instructions found here using 4c coconut flakes.
2. Mix coconut butter and honey together.
3. Optionally add saffron, rose petals or a garnish of your choice.
4. Finally, indulge in a teaspoon, or use as a spread. Honey Coco-Butter does not need refrigeration.