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"I shall throw the handful far from me, I shall close my two eyes twice, should it fall in one bunch my stalks will be productive and lasting..."

Scottish consecration of seed

HEALTH HABITRAVELS NEWSLETTER
OBSERVING SPRING'S RIOTOUS RITES

Regrettably spring is not all pastoral picnics and fragrant fields of flowers. Starting in February with Imbolg, our modern Ground Hog's Day and carrying through to Beltane, or May Day, we're surrounded by struggles integral to birth, rebirth and growth. Soil fractures as roots dig deeper and groundbreaking shoots knife upward seeking sunlight and water. Hormones rage to insure survival of all the Earth's creatures as opposites attract, court and mate. It's a season of violent transformation; climactic meltdowns of winter snow and ice, onslaughts of purging rain and winds, the time when the urge to purge house, body (the fasts of Lent and Ramadan) and old patterns hits. This year on March 20th, the Vernal Equinox, that first officially day of Spring, when the sun crosses over the Earth's equator ushering in longer days and shorter nights, the regrettable war in Iraq began. Vernal Equinox, which has been observed for millennium and is known by many names: Ostara (German), Eostre (Teutonic), Alban Eiler (Caledonni), The Festival of Trees, Festival of Demeter, Feast of Isis (Egypt), Feast of Cybele (Italy), Aphrodite Day (Greece) - is celebrated in many middle eastern nations as Persian New Year, or Nawru, pronounced No Rooz. Nawru is one of the world's oldest official celebrations, dating back to at least the rule of Darius The Great, 487 BCE. For study of Nawru and historic roots of holidays and celebrations I recommend Waverly Fitzgerald's information saturated site at www.schooloftheseasons.com. It's a treasure trove of insightful knowledge, sure to foster a better understanding of other cultures when we need it the most. What tragic irony that war began in Iraq, what was Mesopotamia - the "cradle of civilization" - as Nawru dawned. This war has incited worldwide protest and controversy, and as someone who values all life, it's a war I wish we could have avoided. Now that we are in the midst of it, I pray for a swift settlement with as few losses as possible for all involved.

It is a difficult task but absolutely essential for each of us to strive for balance and calm at this time. We must resolve to go on living our lives fearlessly. For me that means being present for my students, clients and loved ones. It means going confidently ahead with Health Habitravels scheduled retreats and journeys, and encouraging others to join me in other countries - Costa Rica this May - where we will be given the opportunity to positively represent North America and contribute to the economic well-being of the working peoples of the host country. Whatever your life work is, maintaining body, mind and spirit equilibrium during war time, with the potential of terrorist attacks and the threat of biological weapons unfortunately part of our daily reality, keeping our hearts open, our minds clear and our spiritual foundations steady is a necessity. Stabilizing mind, body and spirit will not only help each of us individually weather these difficult times; it will enable us to give of our unique strengths and expertise when called upon. So, not too sound too simplistic, take time to take care of yourself so that you can be there for others. The dramatic and negative input bombarding us undermines our immune systems, sends shockwaves through our nervous systems and results in neuro-chemical imbalances that may manifest as anxiety, depression, fatigue or anger When I'm locked into what's being called "CNN Syndrome" and am over-loading on war reports, I break away for a walk, or a stint of gardening, and give myself a dose of April's free for the taking aromatherapy. If you are unable to get out into the great outdoors, aromatherapy is an accessible restorative. LA based Aroma Therapist Erin Huggins offers this advice:

Although aromatic oils have been used for healing and medical purposes for thousands of years, it wasn't until 1928, when French chemist Gattefosse accidentally discovered that lavender oil quickly helped heal a severe burn and prevented scarring that the term "aromatherapy" was born.

Here are a few aromatherapy tips to use in stressful times.
1) When buying essential oils, make sure they aren't fragrant oils or synthetic oils. They must be pure undiluted essential oil to have therapeutic benefits.
2) Use caution when applying pure essential oil on your skin. Essential oils are very concentrated and can result in toxicity or burns if improperly used. It is best to put a few drops in almond oil, or in a dollop of lotion, before direct skin application.
3) There are several ways to use essential oils. Unlike orally ingested prescription drugs, essential oil works best when absorbed through the skin. Here are a few methods. Massage: 5-10 drops in approximately 1 TBSP almond or similar base oil. Inhalation: Boil 1-2 cups water and pour in a glass bowl. Add 1-3 drops essential oil. Put your face directly over the bowl. Drape a towel so it completely covers your head and the bowl, trap the steam and inhale deeply!
Compress:
Put 1-2 drops oil directly on a warm, wet cloth and apply to affected area. Bath: Add 5-10 drops of essential oil and 1 cup Epsom salts to your bath water, and soak away your stress.
4) Here is a list of essential oils that help relieve nervous tension and stress:
BERGAMOT, LAVENDER, LEMON BALM, SANDALWOOD, PEPPERMINT
5) Try these oils to help wind down when stress is keeping you up at night.
GERMAN CHAMOMILE, ROMAN CHAMOMILE, VALERIAN, LAVENDER
6) For muscle aches and pains.
EUCALYPTUS, GINGER, BLACK PEPPER, ROSEMARY, CYPRESS

QUESTIONS/ COMMENTS. Contact Erin at: www.harmonymudra.com erin@harmonymudra.com

Try some Pilates, yoga, Gyrokinesis, Tai Chi, simple stretches or whatever your particular form of active body Zen is as preventative medicine. Take time to breathe deeply and replenish the body-mind connection. For me the fast track to appreciating the gift of life is mind body practices and/or contact with nature. This year my husband and I planted our first home vegetable garden. I'm finding as a veteran seed sower told me "planting is the heart, but maintenance is the soul." I know not everyone has home garden space, but urban community gardens are springing up in cities across America. Visit www.communitygarden.org to locate one near you and to tap into a wealth of gardening tips. Heifer International, www.heifer.org, suggests growing trees from seedlings and planting them. We have several 1-3 year old California Live Oaks grown from acorns potted in our yard intended for transplant in Elysian Park, our local park ten minutes from downtown LA. My husband calls the project "Guerrilla reforestation." It is deeply soul satisfying knowing that these baby oaks will be improving Los Angeles air quality, and makin' shade in the park for future generations, even centuries from now. It is a small way to aspire "to live simply so others can simply live" and to do our part to sustain the Earth's delicate balance. The overall goal globally and personally is to maintain homeostasis, and in stressful times we need to take constructive action to accomplish this. Humans evolved a "fight or flight" reflex action and produce stress hormones: cortisol and epinephrine secreted by the adrenals, and endorphins cranked out as natural stimulators and painkillers, so that instinct takes over when we are threatened. That can happen even when there is no apparent physical threat, and when the fight or flight tap stays on 24/7 because we're in a perpetual defensive state the system gets out of whack with negative results. There's a fascinating research article on this topic at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/ss/stories/s51013.htm. When we sense danger our cognitive and sensory awareness heightens - that's the plus. But simultaneously our emotions can turn into unpredictable anarchists. According to new medical studies females react by bonding with their group and care giving on mass. If you're in this mode visit www.wova.org or Women of Vision and Action for links to many proactive women's organizations. But no matter your gender, to guard against fight or flight overload try some of the techniques, exercises and postures below. They'll ease not only mind and soul, but render you more flexible for gardening and enjoying the season's biking, hiking and sports opportunities. Make time for meditation and mental stimulation. I've noted a few books and CD's for contemplative time. Find solace and strength in your spirituality - and whatever your faith, remember this Algonquin Indian saying, "Mitakye oyasin" translated, "All beings are my relatives." Dig down and connect to your ancestral roots - and stir up some ancient life giving edibles to celebrate one of spring's many ancient, Universally honored holy-days. I've included traditional Celtic recipes, delicious to read, and fun to brew and stew, from folklorist Joanne Asala's Celtic Folklore Cooking, a book brimming with tasty recipes and traditions.

WELSH RABBIT: The Easter Bunny has his origins in the festival of the Goddess Eostre, when it is said that t he totem, the Moon Hare, would lay eggs for good children to eat. The Easter Bunny still brings eggs to children, although they are now made of chocolate. The Celts did not see a man's face, but rather the image of a rabbit, when they gazed at the Full Moon. Associated holidays: Ostara, Beltaine.
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. 3/4 cup milk. 1 tsp. dry mustard. 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce. Dash cayenne pepper. 1 beaten egg. 4 slices toasted bread or 4 poached eggs.
Combine cheese, milk, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne in medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring until cheese melts. Slowly stir about half of hot cheese mixture into beaten eggs. Return mixture to pan. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Serve at once over toast or poached eggs. Serves 4. Available ingredients, but for this next delicacy, I don't think you'll come across a mermaid, but you'll find Eel at an Asian market.

FRIED EEL WITH BUTTER SAUCE: Legends of mermaids inhabiting the waters of Ireland and Britain abound, but some folklorists believe that they were not really water maidens, but giant eels. As last as the nineteenth century, British law claimed that all mermaids found within the territory were property of the crown. Associated holidays: Imbolg, Beltaine.
2 TBS. Flour. 1/2 tsp. sea salt. 1/8 tsp. pepper. 2 lbs. Eel, cleaned, skinned and cut into 2 - in. pieces. 1 1/2 sticks butter, divided. Juice and zest of 1 lemon. 1 doz sprigs parsley. Butter for frying.
Sieve together the flour, salt and pepper. Dredge eel in the seasoned flour. Fry eel in half the butter until golden brown. Remove to serving platter and keep warm. Melt remaining butter, mix with lemon juice and zest, and add parsley. Fry until soft, and pour the sauce over the eel. Serve with fresh brown bread and SLOKE - which is seaweed slowly cooked and creamed in butter, lemon and cream. You'll find fascinating and the recipe on page 248 of the book.
Available at: www.llewellyn.com and www.amazon.com

BODY: Here are relaxing, revitalizing moves:

YOGA: Shavasana, Corpse or Relaxation pose - 2-10 minutes - relaxing not sleeping: Good to start or finish here. Lie on your back, arms and legs slightly open, palms upward eyes closed. Breathe deeply in and out of your diaphragm, releasing and surrendering any resistance/stress into the surface below you. Allow the release to move to the front of your body and through your body, being still without working at it.

PILATES: The Seal: Sit up with knees open soles of feet together (Yoga Cobbler pose). Rock back on your tailbone then put your hands inside the space between your legs and wrap from the inside to outside or your ankles. Inhale and roll like a ball backward, keeping your chin to your chest, exhale as your roll to start position and clap the soles of your feet together - thus the name the Seal. Have fun with this one. You'll find it releases tension, massages your back, works your core, and stimulates your circulation.

GYROKINESIS: The Turtle (In Vedic scripture the elephants who hold up the world stand on the back of a giant turtle) Sit :Indian style" or in a modified Lotus position. With arms parallel draw and close to your side flex at the wrist, bend at the elbows and draw them back as you inhale and slide your hands up toward your armpits. Nestle your head back into your raised shoulders and as you draw your shoulders back together forcibly exhale - to purge. Repeat 5 times. (Visit the Fall and Winter newsletters for more exercise ideas)

MIND: Great reads to improve your body-mind practice and put life into perspective
All available at www.amazon.com.

Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: Dr. H. David Coulter. In-depth anatomical text for mind-body students, teachers and practitioners.
An Ace in the Hole: Annie Proulx - Quirky fiction: how locals take the Texas Panhandle back from multinational hog farmers.
Paradise Alley: Kevin Baker - you saw "Gangs of New York" now read this historic fiction about the city's infamous Civil War era culture and race riots.
The Bond Between Women: China Garland - true empowering, humbling stories about the current work of fiercely compassionate contemporary women around the world.
Silk Road Journeys: Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble. Music that celebrates the historic link between East and West. www.silkroadproject.com

SPIRIT:

Visit www.sacreddance.org for listings of multi-cultural sacred dance events
Visit www.wheeloflife.co.uk for tour schedule and tickets to see "Shaolin: The Wheel of Life" performed by a soldier monks from China's Shaolin Temple.
If you're in LA: drop YMI Yoga Studio, 124 South La Brea to view Journeys to Sacred Places, a painterly photo exhibit of Jasper Johal www.jasperphoto.com
Also for the LA contingent, ATP Training at 1942 Huntington Dr., South Pasadena, 626-403-6545, a studio where I teach, hosts an open house April 26th. Come by for a close up look at Gyrotonic and Pilates equipment.
I invite you to join me May 10-17 at Pura Vida Spa in the Costa Rica cloud forest for a magical, spiritually renewing Mother's Day week of full moon illuminated Pilates/yoga and eco-adventures Packages start at $995.00. Contact R&R Resort at 888-767-7375 or visit www.puravidaspa.com

...I wish for all of the world an end to war and suffering - and as I throw the handful of life energy from me I shall close my two eyes twice and see before me long lasting peace and productivity...

Fare thee well - Tannis

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