WEEK NINE - SMALL SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

As I note the changes occurring in me, I realize how important commitment and disciplined actions are to realizing significant change.
Below are some of the notable physical and mental changes, from the first two months of the study:
Change #1:
I’ve noticed that my fingernails are more pink in the nail bed.  They were more whitish and a bit yellowed before.  All of the white spots are gone, and the vertical ridges are gradually becoming fewer in number.

Change #2:
I’ve held the headstand for 5 minutes one time this week in class. My typical daily headstand is to hold for 3 minutes. Headstands are great natural facelifts :)

Change #3:
I can touch my forehead to my knees when I sit with feet on the floor, bending forward and knees hugged to my chest.  I could never get my forehead to my knees before:)  One day, the forehead just touched.  I did nothing different, but the daily yoga practice is changing my strength and flexibility, little by little.

Change #4:
Asking for comfort and being grateful for receiving it are ok.  There is no harm in admitting discomfort and asking for relief.
I moved into an air conditioned room at the end of this week, and it has already immensely helped my recent lack of sleep.  I have other long term sleep issues that are improving with the prescriptives I am taking (see below).  The heat posed new problems that are now not an issue.

Once the weather cools in mid Fall, we will return to the tent huts. 
With cooler temps, I will not mind going back to the tent hut at all.  I liked my tent hut accommodations once I got used to it. I had a great space and especially enjoyed the writing area in my tent.

Change #5:
After a delay in the original plans, my karma yoga supervisor left this week for the remainder of the summer.  While I will miss seeing her daily, I am less anxious about it than I was a month ago.  We will communicate via Skype, and I now know more staff and can better navigate the routines here.  When I bid her good-by, I mostly wished for her joy and relaxation.

As I promised, the list of prescriptives from KP Khalsa that I am now taking daily, follows:
(No quantities are provided, as prescriptives are customized to the issues and climates of each individual.)

Nutritional Supplement and how often                              Reason
Trikatu powder - at each meal                                      Increase digestive fire
Triphala powder - once a day                                        Bowel regulation, anti-aging
Castor oil - once a day                                                    Bowel regulation
Vitamin D3 - once a day                                                 Deficiency
Chyavanprash - once a day                                           Rejuvenation
Ashwaganda powder - once a day                               Rejuvenation
Shatavari root powder - once a day                            Rejuvenation
Kapi Kacchu powder - once a day                                Rejuvenation
Poppy Seed ground - at night before bed                  Deep Sleep

Also prescribed: Magnesium (glycinate) and Tryptophan (for Deep Sleep)
I have not been able to access/purchase either of these two in the Bahamas so far. 

I am very grateful to the support of Banyan Botanicals, who provided most of my supplements listed above.  The high quality of their products is contributing to the changes that have begun to be visible in my body, mind and spirit.

Sending you love from the beautiful Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas!

If you haven't signed up for the blog post updates, please do.

I also welcome you to leave a comment below or post one on my BestYOU facebook page. 
Sharing your thoughts is a gift to all of us! 

If you know someone who may like to sign up for my blog posts, please share this link with them. Thanks!