There are many days that give me joy, but one day in particular every year brings with it a smile of happiness, a sense of achievement and a feeling of inspiration.
It is the day we do the 10-mile walk to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust and Cancer Research for the incredible care, help & support they gave Amreen during her stay at the teenage cancer trust. This year on the 13th of September, a day that was predicted to be rainy and gloomy, we basked in bright sunshine and clear skies reinforcing our faith in the divine and our daughter Amreen’s motto “Live in Faith and Positive Attitude. ” The most rewarding moments in our lives are when we make a positive difference to another life. In this particular instance, this walk and what it represents touches many lives and benefits millions. We have been doing our fundraising walk for the last 3 years and have collectively raised around £55,000 with the help of friends and family in loving memory of our dearest Amreen. Our beautiful walk began from Regents Park, through canals to Greenford with over 110 participants from all ages and abilities encouraging and cheering each other on. The youngest participant was a 3-month old baby, with the children as young as 8yrs being some of the earliest to complete the 10 mile walk. They were truly inspirational. The energy, buzz and adrenalin created was uplifting and motivated us to push ourselves. The experience of oneness and everyone coming together for a single cause created an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie and brought about a great sense of joy. Charities such as Teenage Cancer trust rely on public contributions and donations and need as much support and patronage they can get. We feel a deep sense of gratitude towards them as they were there, supporting us every step of the way during a difficult time. It is with this sense of deep gratitude that we do this walk every year in loving memory of Amreen. Amreen often mentioned that everyone working there seemed to be angels helping her make her journey easier. She lived her life with faith and a positive attitude and we all wore tshirts with her message. We collectively raised £20,000 this year to make a difference to all who are going through Cancer, patients and their families. The page is still open so if you have missed out, it is still not too late just click on the link below: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/AmreensWalk3 It feels good to be part of this noble cause and to be able to give back. Feel grateful for the blessings you have and make a difference where ever you can. God bless all. Simar, an 18 year olds perspective… “Participating in the annual charity walk for Teenage Cancer Trust is something I look forward to. There is always positive energy and walking for 10 miles gives me the opportunity to catch up with family friends. Not only do you feel a great sense of achievement once completed; but it is lovely knowing that so many generations, from grandmas to baby's in prams are participating in order to raise money for such a worthy cause.”
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Author: Cookie and Kate
Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 25 mins Total time: 45 mins Serves: 4 to 6 A fresh and filling bean salad flavored with lemon and fresh mint and dill. Use steamed lentils and canned chickpeas for a meal ready in under 20 minutes. This salad keeps well for a few days in the fridge and packs great for lunch! INGREDIENTS Lentils (cook your own, using the ingredients below, or use one 17-ounce package of steamed French lentils instead) • 2 cups of any lentil of your choice. • 2 large garlic cloves, halved lengthwise • 2 tablespoons olive oil Lemon dressing • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 medium lemons’ worth) • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 1 teaspoon honey • 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced • ¼ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Salad • 1 (14 ounce) can cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained • 1 big bunch of radishes, sliced thin and roughly chopped • ¼ cup packed fresh, leafy herbs, chopped (combination of mint and dill recommended) • Optional garnishes: sliced avocado, crumbled feta or goat cheese, handful of fresh leafy greens INSTRUCTIONS 1. To cook the lentils: Pick over the lentils to remove any bits of debris. Rinse the lentils under running water in a mesh colander. In a medium pot, combine the lentils, halved garlic cloves, olive oil and 4 cups water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook until the lentils are cooked through and tender, which will take somewhere between 20 to 35 minutes. Drain the lentils and discard the garlic cloves. 2. To make the dressing: Whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl. If you're using pre-steamed lentils instead of cooking your own, add an extra clove of minced garlic and an extra tablespoon of olive oil. In a large serving bowl, combine the lentils, chickpeas, chopped radishes and herbs. Drizzle in the dressing and toss to combine. Serve with avocado, crumbled cheese or fresh greens if you'd like. I have been practising Kundalini yoga for 15 years. Little did I know that all that I had gained from my yoga practise would one day save my life and keep me a float.
From the very beginning I felt yoga brought an instant change within me on a physical, mental and spiritual level. Physically I felt healthier, more centred and a sense of calm giving me the extra energy and time to invest in the more important things in life. As my consciousness increased through the practice of meditation, I started observing miracles on a regular basis, which strengthened my belief in the divine. It led to unwavering faith and gratitude for everything in life. Yoga unfolded the strength that was in me and gave me the awareness to recognize who I truly was 'A Soul'. Blessed with a beautiful family, I was able to enjoy time with my husband and two adorable daughters, whilst also sharing the gift of Yoga with others. In 2012 my eldest daughter and best friend Amreen, aged sixteen passed away. I have no doubt that without Yoga and God's grace I would have been unable to accept the loss of my child and inevitably gone into a state of depression. However, surprisingly what could have been an unbearable period in my life was made to feel divine and blissful with a calm acceptance of god's will. It gave me the understanding that I am not the physical body. I suffer and feel the pain when I think I am the physical body. In reality I am a soul, here to balance my Karmic accounts and evolve through new experiences. I feel truly grateful and experience love and light because of Kundalini Yoga despite all that I have been through. I highly recommend yoga to stay healthy and above all experience inner happiness and peace. In memory of our Inspiring Angel - Amreen, our family will be participating in a Fundraising Walk on Sunday 13th September 2015 to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust and Cancer Research. It would be lovely if you could join us for the walk. Please request your friends and family to sponsor us at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/AmreensWalk3. If you are unable to walk with us you can still make a difference by spreading the word and sharing this page. Shavasana or the corpse pose is a relaxation pose when deep healing can take place. This pose gets its name from the recumbent posture of a dead body.
This asana relaxes the entire psycho-physiological system and should ideally be practiced before sleep; during and after the practice of yoga asanas, particularly after dynamic exercises such as Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation; and when one feels physically and mentally tired. It develops a sense of body awareness. Shavasana is perhaps the most important part of yoga practice. Lying on the back, the arms and legs are spread at about 45 degrees, the eyes are closed and the breath deep, using deergha (long) pranayama. The whole body is relaxed onto the floor with an awareness of the chest and abdomen rising and falling with each breath. All parts of the body are scanned for muscular tension of any kind, which is consciously released as it is found, optionally with a small repetitive movement of the area. All control of the breath, the mind, and the body is then released for the duration of the asana. The asana is released by slowly deepening the breath, flexing the fingers and toes, reaching the arms above the head, stretching the whole body, exhaling, bringing the knees to the chest and rolling over to the side in a fetal position. After a short time and a slow inhalation, the practitioner takes a seated position. Children need rest and rejuvenation as much as adults and probably more. I use a story and a calm, peaceful voice to get the children to relax and slowly bring their minds and bodies to rest. Children benefit from this deep rest not only at the end of yoga class but also throughout their day. Benefits: Shavasana gives the nervous system a chance to integrate that in what can be thought of as a brief pause before it is forced once again to deal with all the usual stresses of daily life. Shavasana decreases heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension and general levels of anxiety. It increases energy levels, boosts memory and stimulates the ability to concentrate. Shavasana also serves the point of ritual. It gives teachers the opportunity to guide students in relaxation, self-blessing, prayer, affirmation or simple, extraordinary peace. It allows the individual practitioner to give ceremony and sacredness to their yoga practice and to feel “the sweet spot” that so often results from our efforts in yoga. A tip when doing Shavasana… Do not rush it. Take your time. Allow the body to heal itself slowly. Shavasana ideally should be done for around 20-30 minutes so give yourself that time, and remember it is an integral part of yoga; a chance to connect the physical to the spiritual. |
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