Take control of your health!

Today Sunday as I sit here on my lanai in this beautiful island of Hawaii, I feel blessed, blessed for my health, my wealth and my prosperity.  I accept myself for all that I am and all that I have.   This is not the way it has always been for me.  In my quest for good health I have learned many things and most importantly learned to accept those I cannot change. When we live with illusions we cannot heal.

There are three main illusions that plague us in our quest to heal our lives, bodies and souls.  The first of these illusions is that we are this body.  We identify with this body.  When we do this we use the theory that we are “Finite”.  This is the furthest thing from the real truth.  We are not this body, we are beautiful souls housed in this body that has been on loan to us for our time here on this earth.  It is our temple our temporary home during our journey here on this finite land.  We must learn to accept the fact that we are more than what we can see in the mirror.  We are beautiful light beings.   The second illusion is that our quest in life is the pursuit of happiness.  The problem with this myth is that our understanding of happiness is confused with pleasure.  Pleasure is not happiness.  Pleasure should not be confused with happiness.  It is in this confusion that we become ill.  We become disillusioned with life.  We are seeking and never finding.  We become entangled in a cyclical web of self destruction.  The more pleasure we seek in the aim of happiness the less we find it, and so it goes.  Happiness goes much deeper, it goes to the soul, to our true being-ness.     The third illusion is Power.  The power to be happy, to be healthy, to be what we need to be to have it all.  The illusion of seeking power is been with us since our inception.  Have we not learned from the cartoons of old that always depict the villain as the one seeking all the power at any cost, thinking all along that this power will bring them happiness, only to find that at the end the bigger they are the harder they fall.  We fall into thinking that power is infinite and we go in search of this infinite power, we seek it through material things, we acquire many things.  Then all of a sudden we realize that things, power and other such illusions are not the answers.  Falling into these three illusion will only serve to keep you in a state of stasis.  This place of cyclical unhappiness and illusionary feelings.   We need to learn to love and accept ourselves totally, unconditionally and lovingly.  Love is the only answer for healing.  Love is the true power.  Love in its purest sense if the real healing.  Love yourself, accept yourself and begin to heal yourself from the inside out and this will heal your mind, your body, and your life circumstance.  We must learn to give love, receive love, share love and accept love.  When we can truly do this will be able to begin our healing.  The healing of our body, lives, spirit and most importantly the healing for this land we call mother earth.

Aloha  and Namaste!

The weather is warming up and you need to find something to make sure you stay healthy and beautiful.   This means nourishing your skin, which by the way is the largest organ found on our body.   Our skin inhales everything and it sends it right to the blood stream.  Therefore, we must be mindful of everything we put on our face and body.   The body  has some protection from our clothing but our face is our first line of defense from the climate we live in, which is why it is important to nourish and sustain healthy skin from the inside out.

Here are some tips that will make you look and  feel great as well as heal from the sun this summer.

1.     Hydrate - Drink plenty of pure clean water.  I usually tell my clients to drink half their weight in ounces of water, more if they exercise in the sun.

2.     Take a Probiotic; you must never underestimate the power of the gut to help keep you healthy.    Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that is needed to keep your gut happy and healthy.  A strong gut helps to regulate our immune system.

3.      Eat a healthy diet of mostly raw foods, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids which produce a hydrating effect from the inside out, and antioxidants which help fight signs of aging.  

4.     Take great vitamins and minerals that are international grade as well as pharmaceutical grade.  There are not many companies out there but there are at least four.  Vitamins must have a high bioavailability in order to be completely absorbed in the gut.  Choose a vitamin with at least 85% or above bioavailability.

5.     Take a revitalizing bath – in cool to warm water, not hot! Organic salt baths are rejuvenating, and help dry skin to slough off. Stay away from hot water as it robs the skin of vital nutrients.

6.     Moisturize your body daily with non-clogging organic moisturizers such as organic coconut oil.  Coconut oil nourishes your skin and your hair instead of clogging it, as many toxin-impaired moisturizers do.

7.     Drink organic green tea; drink it cold with a touch of cinnamon in it.  Green tea is a natural antioxidant and it also enhances excess fluid loss from the body. Cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti biotic.  Making it a great drink to have in the summer. 

8.     Sweeten your drinks and food with only stevia, look for organic stevia.  It is becoming very popular right now.  Stay away from sugar as it robs the body and the skin of its natural processes.  It will also add extra weight to your mid section which you do not want. 

9.     Cleanse your skin at night.  It’s especially important to cleanse and moisturize before you go to bed at night, to remove impurities from your skin before your revitalizing sleep time. Just be sure your moisturizer isn’t tainted with toxins.

10.  Get plenty of rest.  Keep your self on schedule, keep your circadian rhythm in flow and in check.  This is the cycle that regulates our melatonin and our cortisol levels. Two vital hormones that the body produces to help keep us going.

Why do I stress organic so much?  Because what you don’t know and what is hidden from you in some labels can hurt you.  Be sure to check your products and buy organic as much as possible.

Namaste,

Marti Angel

Everywhere you turn you are being bombarded with ads in every medium, weight loss miracle pills, systems, books, CDs/DVDs and contraptions.  All of which are meant to bring about the new you.   The problem with this is that it prays on our ego thoughts, weaknesses and insecurities about our self’s and our bodies. 

According to ‘Fat Exploding the Myths - by Lisa Colles’ Americans are reported to spend an estimated $50 billion each year on weight loss products and over $6 billion of that is spent on fraudulent products.  On May 8, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers to immediately stop using HydroxycutÔ products because Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries.  If these products actually worked we would have only slim people, hence no market for weight loss products.  We must remember that the goal of any good marketing program is to entice, lure and capture the audience, which ultimately results in the sale of their product.  The scary part of all this is that the FDA website has a list of over 70 products that are on the market today of tainted weight loss pharmaceuticals–many of which continue to be sold today.

These are just some of the many warnings overlooked by those who are trying to lose weight.  True weight loss begins with acceptance of the fact that we are fully responsible for the state of our current weight.   There are no miracle cures that work for everyone across the board.  Every person brings with them a very unique physical makeup, mind and spirit which determines the outcome of the results.

True weight loss is a matter of the mind.  We must begin with searching for the reason that we have the extra weight.  The Ancient practice of Yoga tells us to love ourselves and learn to accept who we are from the inside out.  We must deal with the fact that the only reason that we are not satisfied with ourselves is because we do not truly love ourselves.  One of the eight limbs of yoga teaches us that we should practice ahimsa, compassion for all living things that includes ourselves.  When we begin to practice ahimsa; we find that we begin to accept responsibility for who and what we are.  Changing our physical bodies begins there. We must accept our current state and that becomes our basis for change.

Mentally and emotionally, we need to accept responsibility for what we look like now.  We need to practice forgiveness, caring and love.  By mentally saying “ I love you” as we look into the mirror we access the deepest blocks that have kept us hostage.   The change that begins to happen is subtle but very powerful.  When we begin to change our attitude towards ourselves we begin to unfold like the lotus blossom, petal by petal.  Weight loss requires dual brain action. Once we work on the weight loss from the right brain, lovingly and creatively we can then begin to work on it by using the left-brain factually and logically, which then becomes a matter of simple math.

Mathematically speaking we must burn more calories then we intake.  For every pound that we gain we have eaten approximately 3,500 calories more than we have used.   Now granted this is a simplistic version, but it does merit us taking a good, strong, look at our caloric intake.  

Interestingly, if we change our mindset of memes that we have bought into we can also begin to change our body.   Healing your body from the inside out, and taking control of your health is the true and only key to weight loss, all the other things are just tools that we can use to help us get to our destination.  Remember, this can be a roller coaster ride, but my best advice is hold on tight and do what it takes to get off this ride in a safe, positive, healthy and loving manner.  Use caution and seek professional guidance when deciding to take any pharmaceutical product. 

Namaste,

Marti Angel

I am making an all call to all of you especially all my yoga students– Help me send Reiki healing energy to Haiti.  This Sunday Jan. 24th at 4PM pst– Join me in a simple meditation for 15 min– Myself and a group of Reiki Masters-
Here is the meditation prayer:    May all those who were adversely affected by the earthquake in Haiti be deeply healed and guided to the resources and help they need. May all those providing aid including food, water, medical care and shelter and those involved in rebuilding the infrastructure be filled with the love, strength, perseverance and organizational skills needed to fulfill their purpose.
Please lets set aside ourselves our egos and please please join me to help these beautiful folks heal!

Please sit in a quiet place, begin by closing your eyes and feeling love inside your heart.  Once you are in that space begin your prayer.  You will help me in sending love and healing to a place that need it most right now.

Namaste,
Marti Angel

Everywhere you turn you are being bombarded with ads in every medium, weight loss miracle pills, systems, books, CDs/DVDs and contraptions. All of which are meant to bring about the new you. The problem with this is that it prays on our ego thoughts, weaknesses and insecurities about our self’s and our bodies.

According to ‘Fat Exploding the Myths - by Lisa Colles’ Americans are reported to spend an estimated $50 billion each year on weight loss products and over $6 billion of that is spent on fraudulent products. On May 8, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products because Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. If these products actually worked we would have only slim people, hence no market for weight loss products. We must remember that the goal of any good marketing program is to entice, lure and capture the audience, which ultimately results in the sale of their product. The scary part of all this is that the FDA website has a list of over 70 products that are on the market today of tainted weight loss pharmaceuticals - many of which continue to be sold today.

These are just some of the many warnings overlooked by those who are trying to lose weight. True weight loss begins with acceptance of the fact that we are fully responsible for the state of our current weight. There are no miracle cures that work for everyone across the board. Every person brings with them a very unique physical makeup, mind and spirit which determines the outcome of the results.

True weight loss is a matter of the mind. We must begin with searching for the reason that we have the extra weight. The Ancient practice of Yoga tells us to love ourselves and learn to accept who we are from the inside out. We must deal with the fact that the only reason that we are not satisfied with ourselves is because we do not truly love ourselves. One of the eight limbs of yoga teaches us that we should practice ahimsa, compassion for all living things that includes ourselves. When we begin to practice ahimsa; we find that we begin to accept responsibility for who and what we are. Changing our physical bodies begins there. We must accept our current state and that becomes our basis for change.

Mentally and emotionally, we need to accept responsibility for what we look like now. We need to practice forgiveness, caring and love. By mentally saying ” I love you” as we look into the mirror we access the deepest blocks that have kept us hostage. The change that begins to happen is subtle but very powerful. When we begin to change our attitude towards ourselves we begin to unfold like the lotus blossom, petal by petal. Weight loss requires dual brain action. Once we work on the weight loss from the right brain, lovingly and creatively we can then begin to work on it by using the left-brain factually and logically, which then becomes a matter of simple math.

Mathematically speaking we must burn more calories then we intake. For every pound that we gain we have eaten approximately 3,500 calories more than we have used. Now granted this is a simplistic version, but it does merit us taking a good, strong, look at our caloric intake.

Interestingly, if we change our mindset of memes that we have bought into we can also begin to change our body. Healing your body from the inside out, and taking control of your health is the true and only key to weight loss, all the other things are just tools that we can use to help us get to our destination. Remember, this can be a roller coaster ride, but my best advice is hold on tight and do what it takes to get off this ride in a safe, positive, healthy and loving manner. Use caution and seek professional guidance when deciding to take any pharmaceutical product.

Marti Angel, MA
“America’s Health and Expert Lifestyle Coach”

Marti is an Ordained Minister, Author, Yoga Professor, 500 RYT,Certified Yoga Therapist, Reiki Master level 3, Certified WATSU water therapist, Certified Meditation Instructor, Certified Metabolic Typing® Advisor, Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist FDN, Certified Nutraceutical Consultant, Certified Health/Lifestyle Coach, Motivational Speaker and founder of the number one alternative therapies site on the web. http://www.angelhealthinc.com, Yoga site http://www.theomdiva.com.

What is chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is the chemical that makes plants green - it is similar to hemoglobin found in humans. It has many health benefits for humans that have been recognized through time. As far back in time as 1911, scientist discovered that chlorophyll had a great similarity between human red blood cells and the molecular structure of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the structure of a plants life source. Therefore it makes sense that it aids the human body in healing and staying strong.

As holistic nutritionist I find that many of clients are looking to help improve their overall well-being, but some do not have the motivation to make a lifestyle change that may take more of a commitment that may take more consistent behavior than they are willing to do. Simply adding chlorophyll in one way or another can make a sizeable difference.

To better understand this healing power, it is important to understand how chlorophyll affects the body. So here are some very helpful hints that may help you, by simply taking Chlorophyll daily.

Sources of chlorophyll include all green leafy vegetables like chard, kale, collard, mustard, spinach, alfalfa, and sea vegetables. Leaf lettuce, broccoli and green beans are also good sources. However, there are other sources now available that you might not recognize. Algae, including Spirulina, chlorella, and blue green algae, are primitive organisms among the first life forms on the planet. But I usually suggest liquid chlorophyll to all my clients and based on their individual need tailor the amount used by each individual client.

Chlorophyll is what I may call one of mother earths little helpers. Chlolphyll helps in the formation of healthy blood, it helps to oxygenate the blood, thereby helping to cleanse the pathway to the heart. I have taken this little miracle for some time now and I recommend it to many if not all of my clients.

Here are some benefits that may be of interest to and your health: Best of all there are no side effects.

• It helps to cleanse your blood
• It assists your body to rid it self of toxins
• It is a natural form of iron and much better on your tummy that ferrous Sulfate
• It cleanses and deodorizes the colon
• It assists in the detoxification of your liver
• It aids in hepatitis- because it cleanses the blood
• It feeds the heart by cleansing the blood
• It may assist in menstrual cramps by allowing the blood to flow
• It assists in the regulation of blood sugar
• It helps to cleanse the lungs making it great for asthma, bronchitis etc
• It helps the body heal wounds more rapidly
• It aids in body odor
• It strengthens the immune system making it more resistant to viruses
• It aids in the cleansing of nasal passages- for allergies
• It cleanses the bacteria found in the mouth aiding in better breath
• It keeps mouth sores at bay
• It can be used as a gargle for sore throats
• It helps the gums heal- Gingivitis
• It aids in hemorrhoids
• It aids in stomach ulcers
• It aids in GERD
• It aids in circulation through the body, varicose veins etc.
• It aids the body in lowering inflammation
• It aids in all digestive problems.

It’s important to assess the needs of your body when considering the use of chlorophyll. Many chlorophyll rich substances come in formulas or by themselves and can be taken for preventive measures or therapeutically.As a Nutritionist I suggest that you consult an authoritative source ( nutritionist, nutraceutical consultant or a heath care practitioner) . It is also very important to know that the source should be clean and chemical free. This information is one you can get from a nutraceutical consultant.

Marti Angel, MA
“America’s Health and Expert Lifestyle Coach”

In this world where we are socially indoctrinated to believe that instant gratification is where it is at,  we need to realize it is not the way of the spirit nor is it the way our the natural flow of our bodies.  We all know that we have been given this body as a rental during our stay here on this earth.  This being the only truth of our bodies, we continue to treat our bodies with out respect.  This is not the way of the spirit of yoga.  In our yoga journey we begin to realize that to have the patience to allow our bodies to recover or adjust to whatever it is they need is truly the way of the spirit.  Following this tradition we must also know that when we change something in our bodies and or mind we must give it time to sink in, time to become one with us and our spirit.  Interestingly enough in my nutritional practice I do not see this happening.  This saddens me.  I have a beautiful client who is young in her body and she does not understand that her treatment of her “temple” will not allow her to have this “rental” for very long if she continues on this path of self destruction.  She came to me because she believes in natural medicine, or so she claims, yet whenever we meet I suggest that she slow down and practice patience, and take the supplements that will allow her body to find its way on its own terms at its own time.  She takes all this in claiming that she will do this, but then I get a frantic call claiming that what she is doing is not working, and she would like to see results in a more rapid manner.  I reassure her that it will take time for her body to find its own way and that she must nurture it.   This is not uncommon from many of my other clients, they all seem to want the nutritional guidance I give them to work immediate miracles.  This is not the way of our bodies!  This is not the way of our spirit!  Here is a quote from a doctor whom I admire and have had the privilege of meeting !  Dr. Ray Strand;
There is a major misconception about supplementation. In this era of medication, people believe that they should notice differences within a few days to a week or two. However, nutritional medicine is totally different from allopathic or traditional Western medicine. Nutritional supplements are simply nutrients the body uses in its normal enzymatic reactions. They are not medicines. They are nutrients from our foods, but supplementation allows us to get them at optimal levels that diet alone cannot provide.

It takes between 6 to 12 months to replenish any nutritional deficiency and optimize the body’s natural immune system, antioxidant defense system, and repair system. If you are over 30 years of age or already have a chronic degenerative disease, it may even take longer. This is why I stress over and over that you need to give nutritional supplementation a minimum of 6 months, or even better a year, before you evaluate the benefits. When my patients tell me that they will try using my recommended supplements for a month, I tell them not to even start. If you are not willing to try my recommendations for at least 6 months, you should not even begin.

It is reassuring to know that even a medical doctor faces the same challenges that I do as a Yoga Therapist and Nutritionist.  Remember,

it took a long time to get out of sink, let us remember that it will also take time to get back in sink, but it will happen with full faith and belief but most of all patience and guidance from someone who cares and knows!

To all my readers I say be well, follow the way of the spirit and take a deep breath!!

Namaste,

I believe in Energy,  as I have shared with all of you in my Yoga classes, we are all energy.  The most important thing  that we should know is how to flow with the positive energy and learn to allow ourselves to live life in the most prosperous, loving and healing manner for the highest good of all.  I have told you all that when you resist the flow, basically you are allowing “life to live you”, instead of you living life.  Knowing all of this means that you look for ways to have the most positive experience you can in the time and space where you are right now in the present moment. What this all means to me, is that even my home is a source of flowing energy and it can either flow negatively or positively.  I choose to have energy flow easily, positively and prosperously to me.  So I began to think about the energy of my home and I decided to use Feng Shui to help me live positively and prosper.  I believe in the power and flow of energy and this is what Feng shui does, it enhances your flow of positive energy so that things ( circumstances, events and opportunities)  begin to flow into your life path.  The thing about Feng shui is that you can do it yourself, but you truly need a master to make it more effective.  A Feng Shui practioner is one who practices the art on a daily basis .  A Feng Shui consultant, is a practitioner who not only practices the art but uses it to help others.   Following the teachings of the yoga sutras, I set out on a quest to find the right Feng shui consultant.  This is how I came about finding my consultant who has since become a blessed friend of mine.  Her name is Cathleen McCandless, her web site is http://www.sandiegofengshui.com — This woman is not only a true practitioner, but a gifted intuitive.  Her spirit and her aura are magnificent!  She lives and breathes Feng Shui.  I can tell you about all her media events and things like that, but those do not begin to describe the spirit of this woman whom I am blessed to count as one of my spiritual guides.  I would encourge all of you to think about Feng shui and when you do give her a call, she is honest, generous, creative, spritual and she fits the qualities of the yoga sutras!  She is beautifully marvelous at what she does, she brings spirituality and loving kindess to all her appointments.  Unlike others located here in San Diego that are driven by the money, who will not even lend you a courtesy return email, Cathleen, is motivated by her loving spirit to help all her customers achieve the best they can with Feng Shui.  I will give you a warning though, Feng Shui, just like the Reiki healing energy I practice it allows for the flow of energy to move as it is supposed to move.  This means that things will happen for your higest good and the higest good of all even if you don’t think the outcome is your opinion of good, in the long run what is supposed to happen will.   Feng shui opens the door to allow this good energy to flow more easily to you.   Thank you Cathleen, for being the true Feng Shui master we can count on here in San Diego! Thank you for gently guiding the flow of energy for my highest good!  You are beautiful! Cathleen McCandless you are San Diego’s Feng Shui!!!

Namaste,

After today’s class at SWC, I believe that all my students should be practicing ahimsa, one of the “5 Wise Characteristics” from the  eight limbs of  Yoga.  Today was a powerful lesson in using the kundalini energy to remove any emotional or energetic blocks that may be suppresed by us anda pushed into our physical body without a way out, and thus manifesting into dis-ease within our bodies.  Today we investigated Brachmacharya- sense control– we moved lots of energy and I would like to hear from my students as to what they expereinced.  It is my goal to enhance the students awarenes of what True Yoga really is.   I am thankful for all of those who have been sharing this summer with me.  I am blessed!!   To all my students I ask please share your thoughts and comments about today’s class.  Namaste,

I recieved this in an email the other day and it really touched me, it seems that a student who took my class is now applying it to her entire life, here it is as follows:

hi i took your class in spring 2008

and i loved it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i learned so much and i am still keepin up with yoga  and  positive attitude towards life like you taught me.

my life has changed i am not in sd, ca

for X reason i was taken out of the country after 20 yrs

its the first time im away from home and in a foreign country cuz this is a foreing country to me………………….. the past 3 months have been very difficult ones to me

so many tears so many challenges so much fear so many decisions i had to make and still making i dont know where life is taking me…………

i miss my old way of life i miss school my friends my job and the wonderful people i met in u.s.  home

this morning  after my own private yoga session at what has become my home i thought of you …….. and i thanked the universe for giving me the opportunitiy to take your class

it was not a casuality i took your class…….. just like you used to tell us in class

it was not a casuality

cuz i learned so much , i learned the key to life , the key to happiness and thats something that after my 3 yrs in  college nobody had taught me and i thank you for that.

i bow to you today ,,,,,,,,,,,namaste .

during this difficult times i have keep in mind and practiced everything you taught me

my affirmations,,,,,, yoga,,,,,,,,, gratitud towards the universe ……..a positive way of living each day.,,,,,,,,,,, somedays are more difficult than others and it is then that i remember you words……….. i am open to receive the abundance of the universe, i am happy , i am beautiful ……… my body is healthy , vital and strong……….

i say this words each day ,,,,,,,,, this words have become my mantra ………. i have even made notes to myself and place these all around the house where im staying…………

i want to come home …..and i know that the universe will help me get through this and bring me back home………… i know it cuz the universe has everything one needs and is ready to give it to us,,,,,,,,,all i have to do is ask and believe ,,,,,,,, right__ and then be ready to receive……………..

i hope you receive this email,,,,,,,,i know you have no clue of who i am….. but i remeber you and you changed my life since i took your class and now today your teachings are helping me get through this difficult times……………

gracias.

thank you, namaste……………… wishing you the best,,,,,,,,,,karina.

I’m tearing up again just from writing this, so I will say…

Namaste,

Marti Angel