Dian
- Mrs Snook’s Gut Cleanse Retreat
DAY 3
“Yeah, it's an interesting journey. I was thinking this morning, it's like mountain climbing for the soul, for me. I'm not a physical mountain climber, but I was interested how I sort of bounced into the whole thing, not knowing much about it. And then as days gone on, the reality of what I've actually signed up for has hit me. So I've taken it on as a personal challenge.
Shaktiprem balances her discipline with compassion and I very much value that. She has skill and the knowledge about what she's doing. I feel that I can just lean into that and trust the process and deal with my own inner issues because it's a safe place.
There were a couple of things that I don't know whether it will address. My blood pressure's being getting higher to the point where I'm on the cusp of being hypertensive, but it's very irregular so we're not quite sure which way it's going to go. I'm not on any medication for it. I'd like to be able to naturally lower it.
I have had some gut problems which has also been looked at, but nothing has been identified which has caused frequency of going to the toilet and that's been uncomfortable at times. That seems to have lessened a bit since I've been here. Strangely enough with all the fruit and salad I've been eating, I would have expected it to be more.
DAY 5
I'm feeling really good. We've just been for a lovely swim in the surf, beautiful, and I'm feeling lighter. I'm feeling more positive. I'm learning things about myself, and all-in-all I've relaxed into the week, and it's very positive.
Well, I'm certainly feeling lighter. Today I've had more energy than I have for the past five days, so that's always a good sign, and also, too, the yoga has helped that. So having yoga every day is a huge advantage.
The intention I shared was that I would see this week as a mental and spiritual challenge, as well as physical – the whole three as a challenge. And that at the end of the week I would come out the other end having learned from the whole experience and being stronger in all of those three areas. I really believe that I'm right on track with that. It's all happening.
It is a physical, mental, spiritual and emotional week, and Shaktiprem has just been marvellous. She's been strong, sometimes tough, but also very compassionate, and I think that she's watched over each of us very diligently.”
SHAKTIPREM SAYS:
“After attending an 8-day gut cleanse retreat, for first time in her life, Dian’s urine tested as alkaline. She got physical results, apart from strength from not resisting things, and accepting, flowing and learning. Dian was working on herself for years and does meditation also for years already. But she was surprised her blood pressure went down and her urine tested alkaline for the first time in her life, she tried all sorts of things before. She tried several alkaline strip testers – could not believe her eyes.”
Fiona
- Mrs Snook’s Gut Cleanse Retreat
Well, the retreat was great, and I was quite inspired, and stayed on the cleanse for probably another two months, quite strictly, and then started to add in other things sort of gradually.
I would have liked to have stayed on it longer, and I think the retreat's really good for that because it does help you stay more focused on it, but it does become tricky to do once you're a bit long-term down the track and you're doing other things.
I think it definitely was anti-inflammatory. I did feel better. I think, definitely, my skin got better, my joints got better, I did lose weight, all those sort of things.
I think the actual cleanse is a good thing to do, probably, maybe twice a year, just to reassess where you're at and what you're doing and yeah, it does refocus you. You feel like you're cleansing out of mind, as well as body.
Getting the juices together and planning for that, if you're going out of the house a bit, was a bit tricky. It sort of takes you back in time, before you drank or before you did other things too, so... Not that I drink a lot, but when you socialize a lot as you get older, it sort of just becomes the norm. And to actually say no, it's sometimes funny. It takes you back to even when you're 18, 19, and you're going out all night and just dancing and stuff on soda water and stuff. And it was great, and I just thought, "Yeah, this is really fun." You know? It's nice to challenge those things...
It's sort of, almost, more fun because you go back to that experience of feeling fresh and new.
TESTIMONIALS
At Work Yoga
Shaktiprem’s yoga class is the ultimate low-impact de-stress. A stressful day, a busy life, family complications can all be gently unwound as she moves you to a calm inner space by steadily leaving your day behind. From there, you gain energy and flexibility through the positions and routines of yoga to refocus the mind and body together. A week without yoga is a more stressful week!
— Alan Lawson (academic, Professor at UQ, April 2009)
I find Shaktiprem’s Yoga sessions on a Friday before work extremely beneficial: not only my general fitness has increased but my level of energy and happiness too. Shaktiprem prepares the Yoga sessions taking in consideration the type of work we do: it is office based, sitting in front of the computer.
My increased level of energy and positive attitude are directly transferred to my work as follows:
I manage those difficult conversations with underperforming staff with a more composed approach obtaining better results from the employee.
I manage to have successful discussions with stakeholders that have different opinions on the topic that I am trying to get agreement.
I manage to complete all those jobs and tasks that I was aiming to do during the week and for one reason or other I was not able to achieve.
All this allows me to leave work with a sense of achievement relax during the weekend and come back on Mondays with renewed energy to tackle the week.
— Ana Smith de Perez (energex)
Yoga with Shaktiprem has been a really good way for me to unwind after a full day on the computer. The yoga she teaches is grounding, facilitates flexibility in body and mind and has assisted me to de-stress. Shaktiprem puts a lot of energy into understanding each and every student’s needs and interests, and as a result, I have felt valued in her classes"
— Gitana Scifoni (criminologist, April 2009)
Good morning Shaktiprem,
I am thoroughly enjoying your classes & you sharing your in-depth knowledge of yoga and its benefits.
Personally I have benefited greatly in the following areas:
Better posture when at my work station,
Clearer thinking that has increased my productivity,
Increased fitness and lower levels of stress
Increased feeling of happiness and wellbeing
Thanks again - morning yoga is the best way to enable a productive day.
— Alan Heald (energex)
The hour spent with Shaktiprem at the Yoga sessions offered as part of the UQ Health and Wellness program is enormously beneficial for my mental attitude and I feel great for quite some time afterwards - just shows I should be practicing Yoga more often.
— virginia (university of queensland)
Shaktiprem's yoga classes provide a very positive and uplifting space for me in the business of my week. From her classes I gain the obvious benefit of greater physical flexibility and strength, but more importantly for me are the benefits of mental and emotional balance.
I have practised yoga for 7 years, being in different classes with different teachers. I find Shaktiprem's approach to be holistic and informative. She is particularly helpful with her explanations and corrections of form so that each lesson is a learning experience and one which easily transfers into effective practice during the week. Her nurturing manner allows for a calm and respectful attitude to permeate the class, which facilitates focus and clarity.
— Helen Brown (accountant, April 2009)
I have found the UQ Yoga program run by Shaktiprem to be very beneficial, particularly the stretching and focused relaxation. It has helped with my neck and back issues. I would love to see it offered two to three times a week in the mornings before work – feeling balanced and relaxed would be a good start to the working day!
— dr sue benet (university of queensland)
Just to say how useful and convenient the weekly Yoga sessions on campus have been. I have been experiencing some neck and shoulder pain/stress and your Yoga sessions have addressed these issues and assisted me with home and work exercises to alleviate this stress most of it related to long sessions at the computer. Having the Yoga on campus made the classes accessible and time efficient. Thanks I enjoyed them a lot and am hopeful they will continue in 2011.
— rosalyn g. (university of queensland)
Thank you!
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Some of our clients have even been nice enough to send videos or voice recordings which is absolutely fantastic! If you could like to do the same, please email them directly to shaktiprem@aishani.com.au
