Known for its stinging leaves, Nettle is a herbaceous perennial that offers a myriad of benefits ranging from environmental rewilding to medicinal uses and even spiritual significance. Nectar Yoga Retreat’s wellness blog also includes lesser known fun facts, and three nettle tea recipes that do wonders for our complexions and general vitality.
Aparigraha is one of the five Yamas, or ethical guidelines, found in the 8 Limbs of Yoga by Patanjali. It is often translated as "non-possessiveness" or "non-grasping", Aparigraha encourages us to cultivate a sense of detachment from material possessions and desires. By embracing the principles of Aparigraha, we can reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and live a more fulfilling life.
Beyond appreciating them in cooking, what are oyster mushrooms good for? Pleurotus varieties are saprotrophs that are involved in providing nutrition to its ecosystem as a primary decomposer of wood, especially deciduous trees, and beech trees in particular, though here in the Pacific Northwest, oyster mushrooms are also seen growing on dying hardwood trees. Their saprophytic function benefits the forest by returning vital elements and minerals to the environment in forms that are usable to other plants, other organisms, and general soil biology.
Examining our inner judgments, there are 9 types of bias as shared by educator and author Clay Drinko, is not only opportunities for developing more self-awareness, but is also a way to identify where edges are in the first place.
These practices are designed to help you connect with your edge while fostering a sense of joy and renewal.
Wild Thing (Camatkarasana)
This heart-opening pose embodies freedom and vitality. As you flow into Wild Thing, you’ll feel a playful release, inviting both physical and emotional renewal.
Psychologists Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund have formulated this definition of self awareness, "Self-awareness is the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts, or emotions do or don't align with your internal standards. If you're highly self-aware, you can objectively evaluate yourself, manage your emotions, align your behavior with your values, and understand correctly how others perceive you."
If you are familiar with general Ayurvedic practices and the three doshas (where you may also hear of vata body type, kapha body type, and pitta body type), you already know that the summer corresponds to the Pitta season.
If you want to learn some of the fundamentals of the doshas, we cover that in “The Three Doshas Defined.”
As we retune our inner rhythm to the energies surrounding our own and the seasonal Pitta dosha this season, we explore the principles surrounding the Yama, Satya.
Are you curious about the Raja yoga system and more details about the Yamas and Niyamas? We outline everything in our blog post, “Overview of the Raja Yoga System.”
At its core, Isvara Pranidhana calls upon us to release our grip on the illusion of control. The practice urges us to let go of the ceaseless pursuit of ego-driven ambitions and the false belief in our hyper-individuality-based abilities. Here at Nectar Yoga Retreat, sitting with humility as a teacher is a lifelong journey.
Here on Bowen Island, Foxgloves are typically in bloom starting in late May lasting to late June or early July, displaying their showy, tubular blooms in vibrant hues of purple, pink, white, and yellow that stand out in woodlands and other grassy or forested habitats.
The Latin name Digitalis purpurea, from which the 'digitalis' chemical derives its name, is utilized in medicine for managing blood pressure and heart conditions. Nonetheless, it's crucial to note that all parts of the Foxglove are toxic if consumed. Despite this, the appeal of the Digitalis genus, which boasts 20 diverse species of Foxgloves, remains undiminished. Perhaps it's their enchanting beauty juxtaposed with their toxic nature that captivates. Since 'digitalis' originates from 'digitus', meaning finger, this could symbolize the plant's allure, as if its delicate blooms (or fingers) are beckoning humans to engage with it spiritually.
