We are entering into a New Age where the worlds of the East and the West are integrating in alliance with one another. With this integration, the need and longing for us on the planet to achieve inner awakening and optimal health go hand in hand. As Yogi's, holistic practitioners and seekers, we are in a time where we have to connect all the dots of our lives and gather all the information to live the life we deserve - a life based in peace, joy, health and abundance. If we can forge ahead with the ability to achieve whole health and happiness within our own lives we can pass this torch to others and live by example and action. With the principles of Yoga and Ayurveda, through deep penetration of mind, body spirit connection, we can make choices in our lives that serve our higher selves, our community, and our world. From our thoughts, actions and achievements let us live in balance, in peace and in whole health.

Both Yoga and Ayurveda have their origin in the Vedic traditions of India, and both are a means to gaining and maintaining better health - they share the same goal of complete integration of body, mind and spirit. Yoga helps with enlightenment and physical well-being; and Ayurveda helps with perfect health. The aim of yoga is union with higher self, which you can attain only when you have a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy consciousness.

Ashtanga Yoga includes Yama (Code of Conduct), Niyama (self-purification), Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breathing control), Pratyahara (sense control – introspection), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (contemplation). Ayurveda guides you to attain healthy body, mind and consciousness through Sattvik diet and a lifestyle (dinacharya) which includes Ashtanga Yoga.

• A Sattvic diet is food that gives life, strength, energy, courage and self-determination
• Sattvic food is pure and wholesome and is full of Prana – the life energy needed to sustain a healthy life and peaceful mind
• Sattvic food also gives us the subtle nourishment necessary for vitality and consciousness
• Sattvic foods are light (as opposed to heavy) in nature, easy to digest, refreshing, and calming to the mind. They are best prepared with love and awareness.
• Sattvic food keeps all 3 Doshas (3 energies in Ayurveda - Vata, Pitta & Kapha) in balance so that all internal systems (e.g. digestive, respiratory, nervous, cardio-vascular, reproductive, excretory etc.) can function at their optimum efficiency (More information on Sattvik foods can be learned from an article written by Gary Gran, CYT, D.Ay. on “Yoga Chicago” website in Jan 05 (http://www.yogachicago.com/jan05/diet.shtml))