The key is to be able to interpret the messages given from the body. One of my main roles as an Ayurvedic Natural Health Practitioner is to help clients not only get back to balance and find optimal health instead of chronic health conditions, but to also learn to really understand what their bodymind is telling them.

I’m offering monthly classes in the Vibrant Life Series this year to help you breakdown your symptoms in various parts of the bodymind, get clarity on those messages, and learn tools to create balance.

Join me for the first class in the  on the digestive system which is your cornerstone to health. Improper digestion deprives the body of vital nutrients, creates toxins in the system, creates digestive symptoms and disorders, and affects a healthy weight. As such, keeping your digestion healthy and balanced is fundamental to enjoying overall good health.

Are INDIGESTION, GAS, BLOATING, ACID REFLUX, POST-MEAL LETHARGY AND HEAVINESS regular visitors to your body?

Beware that these are signs not only is a digestive system out of balance but can also be the precursor to other dis-ease conditions. Give your digestion a healthy boost with simple kitchen healing tools with the “Boost Your Digestion for Weight Loss, Symptom Relief & Total Health” class on January 31st from 6:30-7:45 pm.

Class location: Ayurveda Wellness within THRIVE! 2331 Silvernail Rd, Pewaukee
Self-Investment: $20
Registration: via Jamie 262-389-5835.

In fact, most diseases arise from poor or wrong functioning of the digestive system.  The digestive fire, what is called Agni in Ayurveda, is central to enjoying good health.  It is not only responsible for absorbing nutrients to help run your body but also for destroying any pathogens and preventing undigested food from becoming a toxic breeding ground for illness and disease.

Unfortunately, few people today know what a healthy digestion is supposed to look and feel like.  Instead symptoms of gas, indigestion, bloating, heartburn, post-eating lethargy are so common that they are considered normal.

Those symptoms are actually clues from your body-mind that something is out of balance.  Ayurveda, a natural health system that guides you to a long and healthy life, not only can help translate what those symptoms mean but also teach you how to prevent them through simple cooking and eating adjustments.

On Tuesday, January 31^st from 6:30-7:45 pm you can:

1. learn the importance of your digestion system in relation to health and disease
2. learn what throws your digestive system out of balance
3. learn how to support a healthy digestion with the power of  spices, teas, pro-biotic drinks, and managing your liquids in general
4. taste some yummy digestive options and take home the recipes

Join Jamie Durner, Ayurvedic Natural Health Practitioner, for an interactive class that will change the way you look and feel.

Class located at Ayurveda Wellness within THRIVE! 2331 Silvernail Rd, Pewaukee, WI
Self-Investment: $20
Registration: via Jamie 262-389-5835.  Payment is due at the time of registration.

Join me on Tuesday, January 17th from 6:30-7:15 pm to discover how a natural approach can help you heal.

Health is about having the body and the mind in balance with the external forces in life. To do this, you need to:

• identify the root cause of your issue
• know how it is connected to your daily choices in life
• make small adjustments to create re-alignment

Learn how many of your symptoms are actually connected and how YOU have the power to not only restore balance and heal, but to also live in optimal health.

Ayurveda Wellness within THRIVE! 2331 Silvernail Rd, Pewaukee
Investment: FREE session
Registration: via Jamie 262-389-5835

Having been several years since I read the book, I decided to re-read it again so I could answer questions that arose from my clients and remind myself what he covers in this book since he has so many.

In addition to the great overview he provides, the part that continues to amaze me and pull me forward, even though I already “know” it on one level, is his paradigm shift in thinking about what it possible.  Not just healing or good health but the idea of perfect health.  The idea that anything can be changed and taken to a level not previously imagined.

He gives several examples of seemingly impossible physical changes happening via research done on people with multiple personalities who literally manifest different physical conditions in different personalities.  And I’m not talking small stuff that a mole.  I’m talking big – like one personality having a severe scoliosis and it completely disappearing when a different personality surfaces.

The mind really is the ultimate creator of your reality.

©2012, Jamie Durner, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner & Wellness Educator at Ayurveda Wellness in Pewaukee, WI

Good food doesn’t have to taste bad! And it doesn’t have to be time consuming to make, either.

One of my intentions for 2012 is to have my lunch be my main meal and have it focused on vegetarian, whole foods cuisines. I’m going to be trying out lots of bean and lentil dishes, one-pot bonanzas, and who knows what else in my quest for healthy, quick and easy.

I’ve already tried two new lentil dishes (recipes will be shared later this week) and have a vegetarian mole enchilada recipe awaiting its turn.

In the meantime, sample a few of the recipes from the open house menu and enjoy!

Lentil Minestrone

• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 c. leeks or onions, finely chopped
• 2 Tbs. tomato paste
• ¼ c. parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 1 c. celery, diced
• 1 c. green lentils, sorted and rinsed
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. basil
• 1 tsp. oregano
• Optional additional herbs: marjoram, dill, thyme
• 9 c. water or stock
• Bragg’s Aminos to taste
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 c. small pasta, cooked separately
• 1 bunch greens (spinach, Swiss chard, kale, etc)
• Parmesan cheese (optional

Heat oil in a wide soup pot with the leeks. Sauté over high heat, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste, parsley, garlic, vegetables and 2 teaspoons of salt. Cook 3 minutes then add the lentils and herbs, water or stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes. Taste for salt and season with pepper.

While the soup is cooking, cook the pasta and boil the greens in salted water until they are tender and bright green then chop coarsely. Just before serving, add the greens and the pasta and heat through. Serve with extra-virgin olive oil drizzled into each bowl, a generous grind of pepper and Parmesan cheese if desired.

Cilantro Chutney

• 8 oz chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp soma or sea salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ cup water
• 2 oz raisins
• 1 tsp garam masala (found at Indian groceries)

Blend ingredients together.  Optional: add a small handful of cashews before blending.  Serve with fresh, lightly steamed vegetables, whole grain crackers or as an accompaniment to lentils.

Spiced Apples & Pears (for a single serving)

Peel and slice 1 apples and 1 pear.  In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee and add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon each of cardamom, dry ginger and nutmeg.  Reduce heat to medium-low and add 1/4 cup of water or apple cider.  Cover and saute until the fruit is tender but not mushy.  Enjoy sprinkled with toasted pecans, as a topping to your favorite pancakes or hot cereal, or mashed into a sauce.

©2012, Jamie Durner, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner & Wellness Educator at Ayurveda Wellness in Pewaukee, WI

2 program sessions start the week of January 10th – week March 27th:
Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 pm OR Fridays 9:45-11:45 am

If your intentions for 2012 include:

• Better physical health
• Peace of mind
• A balanced nervous system
• Less pain and disruptive symptoms
• Sustaining a healthy weight
• Learning to meditate
• Gaining empowering tools to be your best on all levels of body, mind and spirit
• Living in balance with nature – both internal and external

Then you won’t want to miss the EARLY REGISTRATION special of $50 off the total price and three BONUS downloadable audio meditations when you sign up for the wellness program that will help you find your YES in your New Year resolutions and be your best for 2012.

Don’t Delay – registration special is only good through January 5th and spaces are limited!

The program’s unique holistic approach addresses the physical, mental, emotional and energetic aspects of wellness by using a blend of group and individual coaching, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, exercise and stress relief techniques, plus a personalized lifestyle and diet plan for each participant.

Not only will you find the YES in your resolutions but you will…

• Restore physical, mental, and energetic balance
• Set realistic goals aimed at the core issues rather than the symptoms
• Throw off the pain, stress, fatigue, and excess that have held you back
• Discover the underlying reasons for your symptoms and habits
• Achieve powerful, lasting change without sinking into overwhelm and reverting to old patterns
• Implement small, consistent lifestyle changes that add up to big results
• Live with renewed focus, energy and awareness of maintaining positive changes

“New Year ~ New You” maintains your resolutions for life by…

Gets you started the right way by defining your clear goals or resolutions from a positive perspective – what I call your YES – so that you are creating what you want in life rather than what you don’t want. What you focus on expands so you want to make sure your energy in going to what makes you feel good, keeps you healthy and happy, and is easy and fun. This includes uncovering the different threads that make up your pattern so you are addressing the connected whole rather than chasing down seemingly separate symptoms.

Keeps you on track with small, consistent steps to re-align your lifestyle and integrate healthier habits. In addition to group discussion and tools you will get to try out in class, you will learn what you as an individual need to stay balanced as the external factors in life continue to change around you. Giving you the tools and resources to be successful today and for many healthy tomorrows.

Supports your process with professional assessments and guidance, built-in accountability partners, uplifting moral support, group feedback, success celebrations, and challenge-busting strategies.

Over the 12 week program you will receive:

• Weekly simple movement sequences and stress relief techniques to easily integrate into your daily life.
• Customized diet and lifestyle plans to address your unique needs.
• Home support tools and self-care resources to re-align your patterns around optimal wellness.
• Coaching techniques to remove perceived blocks, uncover hidden, legitimate needs, and move beyond limited thought and beliefs.
• Accountability partners, progress check-ins, sharing support, and trouble-shooting challenges.
• Professionally guided Ayurvedic assessments of your core constitution and your current state of health to begin restoring balance.
• A 45 minute individual Ayurveda Wellness follow-up session to address private issues or concerns.
• Resource handouts to keep you moving forward.

Program investment of $585 includes all group sessions, handouts, individualized assessments and lifestyle plans, and a forty-five minute individual session. Payment can be made in full with registration or an easy 3-payment plan of $195/month can be utilized.

Payment required at registration. If you are choosing the payment option, the first payment will be collected with registration along with a commitment for full payment.

This can look and feel many different ways depending on your goals and needs.

• You  might utilize the professional services of a life or wellness coach, a trainer or a health practitioner to gain guidance, information and the right resources to get started and stay on track.
• Having a mentor to learn the ropes and not have to re-create the wheel can be effective in your resolution is about a certain skill set.
• Using a guided structure of weekly classes or a 1-3 month program adds another layer of support and accountability.
• Moral support of family and friends will keep you up through the process.
• A life coach can provide you with a neutral perspective to sort out what shows up in the process of change.
• Accountability partners will keep you on track.  This could a buddy system to walk or exercise with or someone you have a weekly check-in call to share progress reports and celebrate successes.

However, no matter what the actual structure components are, making sure you have a team at you back not only increases you success rate but it also makes the process much more fun!

If your resolutions are about optimal wellness in your body, your mind, your energy or your spirit, consider the support combined individual/support structure of the New Year, New You program.

Two sessions to serve you scheduling needs with classes starting in about a week.

I do not mean think big in terms of the process or unrealistic expectations. I’m taking big in terms of timeline.  Marathon versus sprint.

I know, you want short and fast with big, eye dazzling success. The problem is that kind of mindset often leads to drastic measures, short-term fixes and resolution failure.  The very pace and burst of energy that accompanies a sprint by nature cannot be sustained for a longer haul.  So if you start off with too big of burst, it will pop before you reach your final destination.

Remember that you are not just wanting to achieve your resolution, you want it to stick!

Instead of the quick fix, think in terms of true habit, energy or mindset change. I know, not as wild and romantic, but so much more effective.

Small, consistent steps are easier to integrate into your life. And they build into solid new healthy habits that make a BIG difference in terms of true lasting value.

Start by thinking, what one thing could you do to support your resolution that you can see yourself doing forever (or close to it!)?

Several years ago one of my resolutions was to have a daily yoga practice to support a healthy body, mind and spirit. I have held this daily practice now for over 6 years without ever missing a day! The key to my success – my definition of daily yoga is just doing something – a series of postures, a breath exercise, a meditation, yogic cooking. I kept it small and realistic and as a result I’ve achieved and held it.

In the New Year, New You program I’m going to help you discover what those small steps are that will move you forward most effectively and fit with the core truth of who you are. I’m going to show you quick and easy tools and resources to create a healthy, balanced life that doesn’t create more overwhelm.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION starts today!  Sign up by 1/3/12 and not only save $50 but get a BONUS 3 free audio meditations.

How you define your resolution is a critical first step.

The first thing to remember when making your resolution is to find the YES instead of the NO!

Instead of thinking about what you don’t want in your life (ie. what you want to get rid of, lose, or quit), think about what you DO want in your life.

What do you want to say YES to having more of that will bring your greater joy, ease, abundance and/or make you feel good in 2012. What’s the positive experience you want to create for yourself?

So often you know what you DO NOT want and that’s what you focus on. Unfortunately, what you focus on expands so suddenly you may find your life filled with more of what you don’t want!

A positive stated resolution involves creating more of what fills you up in a positive way and makes you happy so it makes the process more of a fun, adventure.

An example to contrast a NO resolution from a YES resolution could be the topic of weight.  A YES resolution might be that losing the weight would give you more energy and allow you to do more of the activities you enjoy.  Giving it the positive spin, the resolution would be to “have vibrant energy and a level of fitness to enjoy all my activities.”

Pause and think about that picture – of what having vibrant energy feels like, what it means.  What do these words create inside of you, make you feel?

The NO statement would be “I will lose weight.”  It focuses on the weight which is what you do not want in your life.   The NO typically involves giving something up, being restricted, losing something.  Pause again and think about how these words make you feel.

Notice the difference between these two examples – both from how your mind reacts as well as how they make you feel inside.

Find and live your yes with the supportive New Year, New You program. Two weeks until the classes start so claim your space for support, keep-up tools, professional guidance, and YES energy!

The cornerstone of my work as a coach is the belief that you are your own best source of answers.  I also believe that those answers are already inside of you.  Sounds great, right?  The challenge is to know how to find those internal answers – and I’m going to tell you just that.   Like all the tools I offer, this one is easy and effective.

To find your internal answers, you simply need to allow the space to see and hear them and trust what shows up.  As with most things, this process becomes easier with practice.

Where do you start?  Right where you are, of course.

I find that the easiest way to begin to listen for those answers is to follow the breath.  So begin by simply sitting or lying down in a way that the spine is ideally straight and begin to inhale and exhale deeply and smoothly through the nose.   Continue for several minutes with just following the breath, focusing on allowing the inhale and the exhale to be about the same rhythm without straining.

1. Create a space of neutrality to listen and increase your awareness.  Into the space of quiet and peace, plant the question you have and then release it.  Return to the soothing rhythm of the breath and allow yourself to receive information.

2. Explore and expand.  Notice what is showing up in how you are feeling and thinking and follow the energy.  If you are feeling tightness in the chest, simply go there with your mind’s eye and see what’s underneath the surface.  Continue this process for as long as you want with as many areas as you want.

3. Take inspired action from your inner guidance.  As you explore the areas of your body and your mind around your question, you will be amazed at the thoughts or ideas that pop up.  Trust that the answer or information you need in the moment will surface and take action from that information.

Play with this on a regular basis and see what shifts, both within you and outside of you…and share with me your successes!

©2011, Jamie Durner, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner & Wellness Educator at Ayurveda Wellness in Pewaukee, WI