Monday, March 30, 2015

Y O G A ❤️ R O O T S

Y O G A is a healing process and you simply can't be in a rush or think you will get a quick fix over night. I go back to my YOGA roots often to remind me of how I got started and where I was in a junk body and  frantic busy mind. My mum and dad often would tell me 'Nicola you can't sit still for 5 mins, you have ants in your pants!' 
I seriously was a fitness freak,workaholic and party girl 7 days a week. Not that I partied every night but I over worked and socialised around drinking and dinners out  every weekend. When I did take a break from my business I often felt sick exhausted and struggled to just be without doing. Back then I had a cleaner, are out, didn't have time to cook or passion to want to, my staff kept me organised with apts, reminders and often would be pushing me out the door to catch my flight when I was traveling a lot for judging and organising competitions, committe meetings etc. 
I use to fly business class a lot and be a member of the lounge where everything was put in front of you, fine wine, food, coffee, stimulation and high heels that totally was throwing my body alignment  out. 
These days my  life is very very different and its a blessing to help you on your path. I know how it feels to be out of balance, Obsessed with success, fashion and temptations.  

Today if you take one thing away  from reading my blog, you gain knowledge and knowledge is power to change. Don't be overwhelmed by overload information on why is right and wrong. Start small with one small simple change today. 

Seeking contentment was just something that wSng taught to me in my early years yet it's so simple when you begin to heal from within, through mind body soul foods, it then flourishes through your cells without looking and a happy heart is with you daily. 

Obstacles come and go but the contentment is everlasting. 





Read more on Nutrition and my YOGA ROOTS story. 

Food, diet, muscle definition fitness, energy, weight loss preventative health longevity what is right what is wrong what gives you the best results and health benefits? My own transformation has been a big part of nutrition and learning to love respect and know how to look after my temple, my body which is my home to carry me  through my life happy vibrant and for as long  as I can. My ultimate his to be around long enough to one day be around to meet  my children's children and have energy to do the things we enjoy. 
But when we think about nutrition aren't, most  of all we are confused about it! At some point of your life. 
I can tell you I have been through my own fair share of that confusion over 20 years ago now.  The food pyramid tells us to eat mostly breads & cereals while many nutrition, and health  experts (myself included) tell us to eat mostly live grown plant based foods.  Our Doctors tell us eggs & butter are bad for our health & real food enthusiasts condone these very same foods. One minute we are told animal protein will give us cancer and shorten our lives, the next we are being told to use lard to cook with and eat liver! We now have to do more than read labels, ( something I rarely use to do in terms of calorie count big always looking out for preservatives and artificial colourings) 
My yoga roots and path have been a big part of working out a pain free healthy vibrant temple. Trying  to source local, organic if we can, biodynamic and live plant based foods And  grass fed food. We need to soak & activate nuts and grains before eating them. We should be drinking green smoothies, fresh greens juices, healing teas, ancient gluten free grains & seeds like quinoa, freekha, chia, millet, buckwheat, amaranth to fermenting vegetables and dissecting the nutritional labels of all the food our family consumes.

On my retreats and workshops you learn the three things I believe that are causing people problems 1. Overloaded stress 2. Bad nutrition habits 3. Mindset ( this looks a lot inside and at habitual mindset patterns you may not even know you have) 




My new book The Power of Living RAW is a fabulous book & tool to set you on the right path and I believe the path to healing, rejuvenating mind and body, Alkalizing your system while helping your colon & digestive system to have a rest from heavier  processed artificial food types. This can be the first simple step to begin the healing path. 


Yoga & meditation is also a big part of the journey helping you to finally feel your body and become aware of your mind to help you shift and make  those changes. 
#yoga #raw #vegan #health

Article from 2010


Back to my YOGA ❤️ ROOTS
I started my yoga journey in Dunedin New Zealand in a Ashtanga Trained studio, back then it was a shock for me and it was a little 'hippy' actually it was. Lot hippy and I felt really out of place. 
We paid $8.00 into a tin at the door it was up to you to put the right amount in, no one took the cash off you. 

The teachers name was Jessica,she clearly was a dancer and inspired me in her splits and handstsnds but what was a strong memory was the challenge of sitting on a hard floor cross legged meditating for 30 mins. My mind was constantly wondering when it would be over and thinking about my staff and salon commitments. However over time something started to feel amazing and my monkey mind slowly started to shut up! 
I travelled a lot to MELBOURNE in those days with my ex husbands operas, and was very fortunate to find Andrew Mournehis a fantastic teacher that taught Anusara Yoga who helped me heal my heart and self hate relationship I had with my body. 

You will be shocked to know if I caught myself in the mirror in yoga I would only see faults and what I thought was wrong with me... Too short, round face, fair hair, bulky arms flat chest! Learning to love and accept yourself is the real beginning of healing and transformation.

The world we are bought up around in today's world is so image based on social media magazines TV all of what I try now days not to spend time Looking at unless it is intellitual educational content on facts research that is adding knowledge to my work and passion. 

Standing in front of the mirror practicing yoga back then was a lot of self acceptance, these days for me my mind is quiet the ego has quitened down and I can focus solely on correct body alignment and breath to deepen my practice to get best results and go to new bench marks. 


If you want to find out more about my yoga roots follow my blog as the journey continues to help inspire you in your practice. 


When you get excited about going inside and look at what yoga is all about and the roots of it which is the postures  that are to heal in a therapeutic way for beginner level to transform your mind body life to a pain free and content heart that is the key. 


Blessings Love & Light 
Nicky 🙏



http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-power-of-living-raw-nicky-arthur/prod9781742575421.html?source=pla&gclid=Cj0KEQjw3M6oBRDnnIywo5i287ABEiQAXRm7S-Ql_1s_aleVl_UHuq4JlhrhpllutXn-0hbxh9SuP78aAql88P8HAQ

Change of season ❤️ change your practice

Change of season maybe time to change your practice? 



AUTUMN is here 


Been feeling a bit scattered, frantic or fidgety lately?



With the recent humidity and Warner temperatures we’ve had recently, you might want to place all of the blame for your discomfort on the weather. However, while the heat may be agitating, much of this edginess is due to the earth passing into its seasonal shift March 1 
the first day of autumn. Though we are still getting warmer thermometers are still hollering “summertime,” the fall equinox brings a subtle change to the air, and an emerging shift in our personal and hemispheric energy patterns. You can feel this shift in temperature morning and night. 

By 'Ayurveda'  standards, autumn is considered the Vata season. Vata energy is associated with the elements of space, air and movement, which make sense, since fall weather generally presents drier, windier conditions,  vata energy is associated with our body’s nervous system and is the cause of the frenetic energy that creates prickly attitudes and makes it difficult to produce focused thoughts with clarity.  On a physical level, this is the time of year many of us notice drier, rougher skin and a few more pops and cracks in our joints. This is the time to increase your Chia seed and lemon drinks, full of omegas to help your joints stay well oiled. 




To balance out this super-charged energy, we need to focus our attention on getting more grounded, calm and balanced. So I have been changing my yoga practice and my classes, when spring turned to summer, we now need to flow with the season and switch up our asana practice which is an enjoyable time as the heat increases we increased the heat in the body and stronger invigorating postures.  At this time need to modify any overly kinetic yoga practices because vata energy can very easily become chaotic.



To promote more stability and serenity in our practice, if we normally practice a flowing vinyasa, it’s important to slow down the pace. Exhausting ourselves only makes us crankier and more depleted. By practicing more standing poses, especially balancing poses, we increase the focus on our foundation and gain more overall stability. Holding poses just a little longer creates a feeling of rooting into the earch, which on a psychological level is reassuring – we don’t feel so “flighty.” Practicing “groundedness” draws the mind inward and calms the nervous system. Eg Lots of Trikansana, side angle postures, & Tadasana's 

This week we are focusing on Slowing our practice with meditative restorative yoga, hatha Bikram, Iyengar-style and Yin yoga with the ultimate goal to experience a deeper feeling of sthira (stability). Yin poses also have the added benefit of bringing attention to and more relief to the deeper connective tissues within and around the joints. We all need that. 

Other poses to add to our Autumn practice are twists, inversions and easy backbends. The wringing action of any twist is calming to the spinal nerves and also stimulates the digestive system, which oftentimes gets stagnant in the Autumn and leads to indigestion, bloating and other intestinal disorders. Inversions help to focus frenzied scattered  energy back toward the earth, giving a deeper feeling of support. Backbending poses open the chest area and can build up a bit of internal heat, which is very beneficial as the warmer temperatures of early Autumn cool off.




Making pranayama (breathing practices) a habitual part of our yoga practice promotes a more restful nature overall. In my YogaFit Classes you get the opportunity to learn  Nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) which is a highly beneficial breathing exercise  to clear out and relax the deep, subtle energy channels within the body. And ujjayi breathing deepens the breath and, like backbends warms the body as it pacifies an agitated nervous system.



When it comes to getting the best out of your body and mind I strongly believe it's well worth spending time looking at clean nutrition and yoga/relaxation breathing techniques and working out how to fine tune your own body. 

You may even find increased slightly warmer foods along with the raw way of life may suit you over the change  of season, using vegetable soups and earning healing teas. 


What works for one body type may not work for the next, however ancient practice that is holistic and healing for the digestive system and mind plays a huge role in keeping your body full of energy and vitality. That's why they call it the Yoga glow healing from Inside out. 


Blessings 

Nicky 

 

BALI JULY - booked out.

The Power of RAW in all leading book stores or get your copy online 


Sunday, March 22, 2015

Have you set you daily intention? ❤️

Every moment of our lives is a magical recipe of sorts. Every flavour, note, direction that Life presents is a genius composition and has an important message. 

Even the most sour of flavours are often carrying the highest potency of the medicine we require.
 But are some of those moments created by your mind? Are they created by the subconscious intentions we tend to set without realizing!
Practicing Yoga helps you become aware of your mind set and what intentions you are setting. 
Being clear of your intention today is the part of the magic recipe to happiness and living a productive harmonious life. 
What is your intention today? Make it clear and precise! 
Today can be one of the most happiest fun days of your life. 
Tip - sit in meditation and set your intention.

It becomes exciting and fun when you learn in my retreats and ️workshops how to master your mind so you can co create your life and happiness on a day to day level. 

Namaste & Blessings 
Nicky ❤️


Eg 'Today I am productive happy calm and attracting new golden opportunities that are aligned to my passion and what will help serve me and my family.' ❤️ 

Thursday, March 5, 2015

R A W Sprouted Bread


Raw Sprouted Salad Sandwich with Mango and Coriander Dressing
You can't beat this crisp bread with its fresh salad and veggies. It tastes clean, crisp and very satisfying. 
Perfect for days when you'd like to eat bread. 
Makes 4 open sandwiches 
For the Crisp bread
2 cups (8 oz/225 g) almond meal (ground almonds) or equal quantities of linseeds, sunflower seeds 
and almonds, mixed and finely ground
1 cup basil leaves 
1⁄2 cup (21⁄2 oz/70 g) pumpkin seeds 
1 tablespoon chia seeds 
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1⁄4 teaspoon chilli flakes 
1 tablespoon filtered water 
1⁄4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt 
For the Filling 
1 avocado, peeled, seed removed and flesh mashed
1 cup (1 oz/30 g) mixed salad leaves
1 cup sprouts 
1 tomato
For the Dressing 
1 cup (31⁄2 oz/100 g) mango, chopped 
1 cup (3 oz/85 g) fresh coconut meat
1⁄4 teaspoon chilli flakes 
1⁄4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt 
1⁄4 cup cilantro (coriander), roughly chopped 




To make the crisp bread, place all the ingredients in the bowl of a blender and process until smooth.
You may need to stop the machine and scrap down the ingredients from time to time, until it forms a 
dough-like texture. 
On a sheet of Teflex or baking paper, press out the dough with your hands, cover the dough with 
another sheet of baking paper and roll a rolling pin over the top until smooth. Dehydrate for 2 hours, 
or bake at 50°C/120°F until crispy for 30 minutes.
To make the dressing, blend all the ingredients together in the bowl of a food processor.
Cut the crisp breads into 4 large squares. Spread each thickly with avocado, then top with mixed 
salad leaves, figs,  sprouts and tomato. Drizzle the dressing over.

The Power of Living RAW
http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-power-of-living-raw-nicky-arthur/prod9781742575421.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKEAiAmuCnBRCLj4D7nMWqp1USJABcT4dfLOW43L-YZIrXs_ReyUY4KwauDKJ10EP89KVLhMTXBxoCChzw_wcB


Cooking with Chai 

http://www.booktopia.com.au/cooking-with-chia-nicky-arthur/prod9781742573311.html


Monday, March 2, 2015

It's all about TEXTURE ❤️

Sourdough
Living the RAW VEGAN lifestyle is all about creating different textures, keeping a wide variety of nutrient based foods, having fun and being responsible for learning and being aware of what your body needs on a day to day basis through nutrition, mind and soul. 

You needn't miss out on eating bread. But my breads out of my NEW The Power of Living Raw teach you how toake gluten free dairy free nutrient based  breads that SERVE your body with ENERGY and HEALING. ❤️

Sourdoughs are made with‘starters’ rather than yeast, following an ancient method. First, a live culture 
is made which, once‘alive’, can be refreshed and replenished and kept alive for years. If you follow this 
method you’ll never need to use yeast to make bread ever again. You need to allow 3–5 days to create 
the starter. The longer you leave it the better the taste of the bread. 
Note: Only use nutritional (savoury) yeast at the beginning of making the starter process. Do not add 
additional yeast when you feed the starter. 


For the Starter 
3 cups (12 oz/330 g) gluten-free flour,
3 probiotic capsules, emptied of their powder 
1 teaspoon nutritional (savoury) yeast
1⁄4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt 
3 cups (24 fl oz/750 ml filtered water
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, add the water, stir well and cover. Set aside at room 
temperature for 3–5 days. In that time, every morning and evening‘feed’ the starter, with equal 
amounts of water and flour. I stir the starter, then add 1⁄2 cup (2 oz/60 g) gluten-free flour and 1⁄2 
cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) filtered water, stir again, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl, then 
cover and leave at room temperature. The starter is ready to use when it starts to bubble and smell 
sour, usually 3–5 days. 
When you make your loaf, take 1 cup of the starter for use in the loaf, but remember to replace it 
immediately with 1⁄2 cup (2 oz/60 g) of gluten-free flour and 1⁄2 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) filtered water and 
stir it in as if you are refreshing or feeding the mix. Do not add additional yeast when you feed the 
starter.
If your starter has been refrigerated, remove from the refrigerator at least 24 hours before you want to 
use it. Replenish the starter every time you remove a cupful to make a loaf! 

See my fav Quinoa Chia Seed Bread

This grainy seed bread is nutritious and filling. Top with salad and a dip or enjoy as a snack on its own for those days you are sick of raw greens and juices. 

Texture is everything!


Makes 1 loaf
2 tablespoon lecithin granules
1⁄4 cup (1 oz/30 g) quinoa flour 
1⁄4 cup (1 oz/30 g) millet flour 
3⁄4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt 
1 teaspoon nutritional (savoury) yeast 
1⁄2 cup (21⁄2 oz/75 g) chia seeds
1 tablespoon Starter (see Sourdough recipe) 
11⁄2 tablespoons honey
3⁄4 cup (6 fl oz/175 ml) warm water
Add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the starter, honey and water, and 
knead well. You may have to use a little more dry flour to form your dough into a loaf.
Shape into dinner rolls and dehydrate for 8 hours at 115°C/240°F, or make one loaf and bake in the 
oven at 115°C/240°F for 1 hour.



NEXT RAW & YOGA RETREAT 
Booked out Bali July 2015