Farewell India

Farewell snake charmers, crazy bus drivers, elephants, camels, smiling faces, spicy food, the busy city and drivers who are honk-a holics.

Back to England where all is a little more orderly and the assault on my senses is a little less. It was a great time and I will miss my lovely hosts the Gils and the Chawlas (below) Thx for a great time and a brief glimpse at life in India.
Mrs. Chawla taught me some Pranayama breathing exercises which help mind, body and soul to become focused, stronger, centered and to bring peace to mind and body.

Do this first thing in the morning...
Sit in a quiet place on the floor in the lotus position (legs crossed and arms resting gently on your knees)
1. Pranayan -breathe in deeply raising the chest and exhaling through the mouth -do this 10 times (Mrs . C does this like 100-but you can slowly build up to that)

2. Kaban Bhati - breathe in and out flexing the stomach for 5 min (or do as much as you can to start)

3. Anulome Vilome -I like this one - take a deep breath holding down one nostril then exhale holding the other nostril. All breath should be inhaled and released from the nostrils. This is good for balancing and bringing oxygen to the brain and for hormones.

4. Bhramari - hold your hands out flat-palms facing inwards, take the middle three fingers and cover your eyes with them, put your pinkys on your chin, and your pointer finger on your forehead, with your thumbs gently plug your ears and take deep breaths (100 reps = Mrs Chawla or 10+ for us beginners) this one is very good as you hear all the sounds your body makes.

5. Om -take a deep breath and do the OMmmmmmm sound as you exhale, feel the vibration in your mouth, tongue etc.. 10 times

http://www.amazon.ca/Light-Pranayama-B-K-S-Iyengar/dp/0824506863
You can buy the book that Mr. C got me from the master and learn more.

Then you are ready for your day with lots more oxygen and peace in the body. This doesn't relate to cooking or the cookbook but thought it would come in handy for any one experiencing stress...

Thx to my new Indian family for being so kind and loving. They are a true example of a loving family with their actions, words, life and passions - they work on some wonderful charity projects www.giveindia.org and a dispensary for poor people to give them access to medical attention that they would otherwise not have.


(pic of Mr. & Mrs. Chawla at his birthday dinner celebration at Punjabi by Nature restaurant)