SANA VIDA 12 DAYS
BEFORE CHRISTMAS SPECIALS
(only available from 10 am - 2 pm on the designated days!)

Saturday, Dec 9 - Purchase European Facials ($70 ea) for three friends and receive your next European Facial free.
Monday, Dec 11 - Buy a Ten Class Yoga Pass for a loved one (who would be a new client) and receive a Ten Class Pass for yourself for only $40
Tuesday, Dec 12 - Buy a Package of 20 Acupuncture visits and double the usual savings. You get a discount of 40% instead of 20%!($42 per visit versus $70 per visit)
Wednesday, Dec 13 - Purchase a Microdermabrasion gift certificate for two friends (who would be new clients to Brenda) and receive your next Microdermabrasion session absolutely free.
Thursday, Dec 14 - 50% off our Beginner's Hatha Series starting Jan 9th
Friday, Dec 15 - All Chinese herbs in stock are 50% off
Saturday, Dec 16 - Buy one Digital Meridian Graph and get a certificate for the next one free. ($40 value)
Monday, Dec 18 - Purchase one SkinCeutical sunscreen at regular price and get a second for 50% off.
Tuesday, Dec 19 - Buy a gift certificate for a 80 minute massage and get a certificate for a free acupuncture visit ($85 value)
Wednesday, Dec 20 - Buy a package of 5 Swedish massages with Sharmayne for only $250.
Thursday, Dec 21 - Buy an unlimted number of yoga classes for only $7 each! (6 month expiration)
Friday, Dec 22 - Purchase a year (12 sessions) of microdermabrasion for $1,000.00 (a $200 savings) and receive all your lip and brow waxing free for a year!

As we approach the holidays, dreaming of cozy fires and warm sweaters, the days are growing shorter and shorter. Many people are affected by the lessening natural light, bringing unwelcome changes in mood, sleeping and eating patterns, and energy levels. This “cousin” of depression is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and can bring about difficulty concentrating, decreased libido, social withdrawal, and carbohydrate cravings.

The causes of SAD are not fully known, but some researchers believe that darker days cause our bodies to produce more melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone. The diminished light during the winter may also decrease levels of the mood-influencing neurotransmitter called serotonin. If you are experiencing the winter blues or mild seasonal affective disorder, the following are natural remedies which may be helpful:

*Exercise daily. Walk, take yoga, or do other stretching exercises. Exercise acts as a natural antidepressant and helps prevent weight gain.

*Use relaxation techniques to help stay emotionally balanced. Meditation and yoga can help you relax your body and your mind.

*A diet focused on protein and low-glycemic carbohydrates, such as whole grains and legumes, will lift and sustain your mood and energy levels. However, high-glycemic carbs, such as cookies, cakes, and other sweets, temporarily increase serotonin, but cause your mood to darken when your blood sugar drops again.

*Increase your exposure to light! Spend time outside, sit near bright windows, or add lamps indoors. Take that walk for exercise while it is light outside.

*Acupuncture is helpful in reducing stress and depression, and can help decrease carbohydrate cravings.

*Serious depression should be evaluated by a physician.

This will be the first installment of our introduction to Ayurvedic Nutrition.

Ayurveda, India's holistic, integrated, physiotherapeutic medical system is based upon the universal natural law of balancing the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) that make up the physical body. When one or more of these elements go out of balance because of improper diet and lifestyle, various diseases and mental disturbances can manifest. Ayurveda explains that these five elements are kept intact in the body by three subtle forces called doshas.

The key to maintaining physical and mental health is in keeping these elements and doshas in harmonic balance through proper diet, herbs and lifestyle, otherwise early aging and various diseases can manifest. The three doshas or mind/ body constitutions are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three doshas or mind/body constitutions can even be traced back to the very beginning of creation. By knowing which type you are by symptoms, the proper diet, lifestyle, herbal supplements & body treatments can be established for you.

According to Ayurveda, a balanced diet directly nutures the body, mind, senses and spirit. Food gives strength, sustenance, energy, and radiance.

Eating in accordance with your constitutional makeup promotes balance, while eating dosha-aggravating foods ensures imbalance. Food is the primary preventative tool in Ayurveda, as well as the first step in bringing the mind and body back into balance.

Yummy Baked Winter Squash

Serves 4 as a side dish or healthy snack

This lovely vegetable is winter squash that is conveniently found this time of year. Look for the enticing green, gold variations.The raw vegetable makes a beautiful addition to a centerpiece based on a fall theme.

2 large organic acorn, butternut or delicate squash, split lengthwise,with a spoon remove seeds and pulp.
1/4 cup Ghee (Clarified Butter)
2 tsp ground apple or pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup organic raisins (optional)
1/4 cup organic almonds or walnuts or pecans (optional)
pinch sea salt (optional)
"sucanat" raw brown sugar or real maple syrup to taste

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a rectangular casserole dish, bake the prepared squash, covered, cut side down in 1/4 inch of water for 30-35 minutes or until tender. Insert a sharp knife into the back of one of the halves to check for tenderness. Leave covered while preparing the sauce.

In a small saucepan, add the Ghee and bring to a med/high heat without burning. Add spices, sea salt and organic raisins. Stir the ingredients together well until the aroma of spices is released, for about one minute. Remove from the stove and lay the squash halves upright so that the cavity is exposed on each half. With a teaspoon, divide the sauce equally between the squash and lightly blend. Add nuts.

Peels utilize a concentrated acid to dissolve the top layers of dead skin cells, revealing fresh skin. The skin is first cleansed and prepped, then swabbed with an acidic solution, creating a controlled "burn". The acid concentration would determine how many layers of skin are removed and also would affect the discomfort levels and healing time. Peels used by an esthetician are applied to the skin for five minutes and then removed with icy water. Skin may appear slightly sunburned for a few days after a light chemical peel.

Sana Vida offers Salicylic, Glycolic or Pumpkin Peels. To schedule a Peel, call Brenda directly at (512) 755- 3906.

HATHA YOGA
Custom tailored to your ability and intention, this class includes guidance for safe, correct and effective breathing, posture, stretching, strengthening and balance, while incorporating traditional elements such as centering breath, chanting, relaxation and meditation. This class is taught for all levels of experience.
Tue & Thurs 9:00 am & 5:30 pm

FLOW
This is a dynamic yoga, tai chi and Pilates workout that leaves you feeling long, strong, centered and calm. Each class follows a set sequence of exercise disciplines to contemporary music and is made up of 45 minutes of simple yet challenging exercises followed by ten minutes of relaxation and meditation. Options will be presented according to your level of fitness.
Mon, Wed and Sat 9:00 am

CHINESE YOGA
A unique combination of Qigong and tai chi and consists of slow gentle movements, soft stretching, and energizing holding postures that dramatically improve health and well being by reducing stress, renewing energy, improving circulation, balance, and concentration. Each class is scientifically designed to work every muscle, tendon, joint, organ, and gland while moving fresh, oxygenated blood throughout the whole body. Learn to access your qi energy and balance the flow of energy within your body. This is our most gentle class.
Wed 2:30 pm