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Cleaning Like a Yogi

6/30/2020

Take the step by step clean up routine prescribed by Ayurvedic sciences, yoga's sister science, and demonstrated by Allison. After the 6 steps, you might want to explore some of the other radical techniques described in the ancient texts. Just keep scrolling, Yogi Nora is there.

Here is a chart so you can track progress on your cleansing practices.

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Step 1:Tongue Scraping

6/30/2020

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Tongue scraping and checking your tongue is the first step in our Kriya practice. First thing when you wake up, check your tongue and compare it to the handout we gave you.
The tongue reflects the health of the whole body. Different parts of the tongue are related to different organs in the body (see picture). If there are discolorations, depressions or elevations on your tongue, the respective organs are affected.
We each have a different size and shape of our tongue as well. Some are narrow and long while others are wider.
Today, get to know your tongue. What is the shape of your tongue? What is the color of your tongue? Does your tongue have any of the cracks or colorings in your handout?
Once you’ve observed your tongue, grab your tongue scraper (the metal thing) and place it in the back of your tongue and scrape it all the way forward. Notice any mucus that comes off your tongue. Or any white or red films. Or anything at all!
Overnight all of the toxins within our body come to the surface of the tongue. Tongue scraping removes them. This will change each and every day based on what you ate or drank the day before.

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Step 2: Dry Skin Brushing

6/30/2020

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Next up: Dry Skin Brushing
Who suffers from DRY SKIN???? Today’s practice will make your skin super soft & smooth!!
Start with dry skin brushing- one of the best ways to detoxify your skin, eliminate dead skin cells and find a healthy glow! I also find it energizing!
Starting on your legs, make 7 long strokes up the legs leading to the heart. Then move to the torso, then down the arms. We are always brushing towards the heart. You can make clockwise circles around your abdomen to enhance digestion. Avoid really sensitive areas like your face and genitals. This should only take about 5 minutes. Some people like to dry skin brush daily while others, like myself, have super sensitive skin and can only handle it 3x/week. You’ll have to try it yourself to decide.
After you’ve done your dry skin brushing rub coconut oil ALL OVER your body. Oil up your face and scalp too (bye, bye dandruff!). We are going to leave it on for about 5-10 minutes.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – why am I putting on oil before my shower? For years, I would dry skin brush, shower, then oil. And I can’t tell you how many shirts and shorts I ruined because the oil would stain them. Then I learned in Ayurveda that we’re supposed to shower AFTER oilation. You’ll let the oil sink in for a little and once you get into your super hot shower your pores will open and the oil will sink in deeper giving you more luxurious skin! Plus, I don’t ruin any more clothes! Genius, right??? So just sit back and let that coconut oil sink in right now.
Don’t have time to let the oil sink in? Doing anything is better than nothing. Change can only happen through action. Do your best today and leave the guilt behind.
PRO TIP: Use a handheld kitchen mixer and add essential oils to your coconut oil for an even more blissful experience! How does your skin feel?

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Step 3:Oil Pulling

6/30/2020

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SO THIS WAS A WEIRD ONE FOR ME AT FIRST - GRAB ANY KIND OF OIL, PUT A LITTLE IN YOUR MOUTH AND SWISH IT AROUND FOR 20 MINUTES. ONCE YOU'RE DONE, SPIT IT IN THE TRASH AND NOTICE THE COLOR OF IT. DOES IT LOOK DIRTY?Also, you don't have to swish it the entire time. I usually swish just a bit then let it sit in my mouth for the majority of time.
I also like to do this as I walk around my house and go about the rest of my morning routine. I often walk the dogs while oil pulling.
You can use any type of oil that you want. Some people LOVE coconut oil. I hate feeling the flakes in my mouth. It all just depends on what you like and what you'll stick with in the long run. You can see the picture of the sesame oil that I use.
BENEFITS: Is it really worth all this work?
Proponents of oil pulling claim that it improves gum health, reduces inflammation in the mouth and eliminates bacteria. Some even claim that it's a natural way to whiten teeth.
Personally, I've been doing an experiment with oil pulling for the past few months. I have receding gums from years of braces and they are getting worse. The dentist told me that I'll be looking at gum surgery in the next few years if something doesn't change. I noticed that my teeth and gums were getting very, very sensitive as well.
I've been oil pulling about 3-4 days/week for the past 3 months and the sensitivity in my teeth has gone away. We will see what the dentist says next month. The experiment continues!!!
Don't forget to Brush & Floss Your Teeth after the Oil Pulling!

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Step 4: Neti Pot

6/30/2020

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Fill the neti pot with warm water and a little bit of salt or saline solution if you have it (I bought my neti pot at Walmart and it came with some saline solution).
Put the neti pot in one nostril, tilt your head down and to the other side and BREATHE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH! The water will naturally pass from one nostril to the other. If you get a little down your throat tilt your head down a bit more. Once you’re about half way through, switch nostrils.
This is a completely passive action. You shouldn’t have to do anything except be patient and grossed out.
After your neti pot, you should be able to breathe free all day long! The first time I neti pot’d, I almost drowned LOL. It took me a little bit of practice to really nail down the correct technique so be patient and keep working at it.
I like to neti pot during my shower for easy clean up.
What came out of your nose????

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Step 5: Take a Shower

6/30/2020

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Finally you get to shower!!! Hop in and take a nice, warm luxurious shower. Then end it with a final cold rinse!! And keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be super cold! For me, when it’s cold outside, it turns into a cool rinse. When it’s hot outside, I make it a colder rinse. I don’t want you to be miserable but feeling refreshed when you exit!WHY THE COLD RINSE?This helps draw blood back to the skin’s surface, increasing your lymph system’s function (that’s the system that removes toxins). This brief cool rinse will stimulate your blood flow and keep things moving in your lymph system. Basically, you boost your immune system with every shower!
Now that you’re done showering, feel free to apply any other kind of lotion or moisturizer that you prefer. Then dress mindfully and get ready for your day!

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Last Step: Dress Consciously and Meditate

6/30/2020

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Now that you’ve boosted your immune system and you're totally ready and prepared for your day, it’s time to pause for a moment and spend a few moments in meditation, prayer or giving gratitude.
This may be the most important aspect of your day, and I’m totally guilty of skipping this one frequently! I used to have an unrealistic expectation that I had to sit for 20 minutes in order for it to really “count.” As soon as I let go of that expectation, I’ve been able to improve my practice. Some day, I have 20 minutes. Other days, I spend 15 seconds giving gratitude for something in my life. You have to choose what works best in your life every day.

Spend a moment in meditation, prayer or giving gratitude.

This specific step may not directly impact my immune system, but I do know that it makes me feel better every single day. Too often, I grumble in the morning which leads to negative thoughts throughout the day. By shifting my mindset, I can change my entire well-being. Instead of allowing negative thoughts to permeate your day, say 1 thing you’re grateful for before leaving your house. If you have more time, say a quick prayer or spend 5-20 minutes in meditation.

Cleaning Like a Yogi

Step 1:Tongue Scraping

Step 2: Dry Skin Brushing

Step 3:Oil Pulling

Step 4: Neti Pot

Step 5: Take a Shower

Last Step: Dress Consciously and Meditate

Nauli - Belly Rolling

The Art of Cleaning Like a Yogi

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