The New Indian Bride

I don’t know about you but I feel much better spending an evening laughing with friends than I do crying it out in my PJ’s on the sofa with a box of tissues.  Tears are an inevitable part of the journey down the aisle but I wish I spent less time tearing up over silly details and more time laughing, smiling and soaking in the fabulous moments leading up to the wedding.  That’s why I am sooooo happy to bring my fabulous TNIB readers a dose of laughter as part of Healthy Happy Bride Week.  Specifically, a dose of laughter yoga.  What the heck is laughter yoga you ask?  Well Ritu Riyat our resident wellness expert is here to give us the scoop.

TNIB: Is laughter yoga a real thing?

Ritu: Ha Ha Ha… yes it certainly is. I’m laughing just thinking about it. Laughter Yoga was founded by Dr. Madan Kataria,  a doctor in India, along with his wife, a yoga teacher. Based on his research of Laughter being the best medicine  Dr. Kataria put the theory to test in 1995 with the first Laughter Club which consisted of 5 members. Today there are over 6000 clubs spread over 60 countries.

TNIB: How does it work?

Ritu: It is a blend of yogic deep breathing, stretching, and laughter exercises that cultivate a child-like playfulness. There are no jokes or clowns, but instead techniques used to provoke a physical laughter response which soon turns into real laughter. It’s the whole fake it until you make it theory. Because it is done in a group environment and because laughter is contagious, within minutes you are holding your belly and laughing up a storm.

TNIB: What are the benefits of laughing, especially for brides to be?

Ritu: When things are going good it is easy to smile and laugh but when things are not so good we can quickly get caught in a storm of sadness. Laughter therapy or laughter yoga is a quick fix to snap you out of the funk, so to say. Fifteen to twenty minutes of laughter a day is recommended to destress the mind and the body and cultivate joy in the heart. Also laughter helps release endorphins, the “feel good” hormones and natural pain killers.  Plus its fun and playful!

TNIB: So, how do I get started? Can I just laugh at home?

Ritu: Either look for a laughter club near you by searching online here: http://www.laughteryoga.org or simply make it a point to laugh (without jokes) about fifteen minutes a day. Enroll your significant other, friends, and family as well.  Maybe even do a laughter session on the big day to break up the tension and relax.

TNIB: Wow – sounds like fun!

Ritu: Sure is! Next time you are mad at your beau, take a moment to laugh about it and then sit down and talk. Its amazing how much more productive a conversation can be when the harsh emotions have been stripped away and joy and laughter fill their place.

Thanks Ritu for being TNIB’s resident wellness expert!  Now all you brides-to-be remember the three pillars Ritu shared this week – Eat. Move. Mediate.  You need a daily dose of each to keep you healthy, happy and glowing as you walk down the aisle!

Learn more about Ritu at www.madeinyoga.com or contact her directly at madeinyoga@gmail.com

Happy Healthy Bride Week continues today with the one thing that can keep all you brides-to-be healthy and happy in the days and weeks leading up to your wedding day – meditation! Ritu Riyat is back today to share her insights on this topic that is sure to keep you sane as your wedding day approaches.

TNIB: What is meditation?

Ritu: The buddha, haha. For many this is what comes to mind,  and it seems intimidating and undoable. Meditation is the practice of training the mind to focus on any one thing or nothing at all. It is a technique used to quiet the mind and release stress.

TNIB: What are the benefits?

Ritu: When meditating a person begins to feel more calm and regain control of a situation which sometimes seem chaotic, like deciding on a dress or picking a wedding venue. It is another way for the bride to spend some time and focus on herself.

TNIB: As a bride to be, there is so much stress and such a big life changing event about to happen, what is a good mantra, prayer or meditation that one can do?

Ritu: Prayers, and mantras are one form of focusing the mind. Simply putting the question at hand out into the universe or thinking of a positive phrase “this too shall pass” is a way to release the pressures of stress. We try to control so much of our life and sometimes this can become overwhelming. Its important to know that the universal energy around us is here to support us. Another form of meditation that is natural and free from an external associations is breathing. Sitting and focusing on inhaling and exhaling is enough to bring the mind to a peaceful state. Meditation does not have to be done seated, it can be done while walking, hiking, breathing, lying down, even driving (with caution). It is simply a state of focusing the mind.

TNIB: I have never meditated before. How do I get started?

Ritu: Sometimes joining a meditation group is a good way to start however it is not necessary. Simply dedicating 10 minutes every morning and evening to sit still and observe the mind and breath is a great way to begin building a practice. There is no right, wrong, or perfect way to meditate. It is a practice and lifestyle that one builds over time. Don’t think too much about it and just get to it.

About Ritu: Ritu Riyat MPH,CYT is a holistic health coach serving the San Francisco bay area and the world. She works with her clients to help them look, feel and perform better. Her passion is to provide individuals with the necessary tools to make more informed decisions about how they nourish themselves. She is passionate about yoga, food, and fun! For more information or to schedule a consultation email Ritu at madeinyoga@gmail.com or visit her website www.madeinyoga.com.

Today I am talking all about getting a fabulous figure to make your lengha look all the more spectacular on your wedding day.  Ritu Riyat, Health Coach and founder of Made In Yoga and Nutritionize is back as we continue Healthy Happy Bride Week.  Today’s topic is fitness!

TNIB: What are the benefits of exercise especially for a bride-to-be?

Ritu: Everyone knows that exercise can help burn off some calories and aid in weight loss but there is another hidden advantage – it makes you feel great!  Not only does the body release stored toxins but adequate exercise triggers the brain to release endorphins which are the body’s natural “Feel good” hormones! You can literally exercise your way into a better mood. It’s a great way for brides to release stress build up and clear their mind to get a fresh perspective, suddenly the bridal decisions don’t seem so daunting.

TNIB: Why is yoga, in particular such a good idea for brides?

Ritu: Yoga has the benefits of exercise and more. Because  it is done in silence, it provides a precious opportunity for the bride to spend quality time with one of the most important people- herself. Through the twisting, turning, bending journey of a yoga practice the muscles and joints have a chance to release emotions, feelings, and stress. The yogic slang is “ issues in your tissues.”  The body stores a lot in the tissues so the mind can function and make it through the day.  Stretching is also a great way to look longer and leaner and aids in activating organ and cell function aiding in weight loss. Most importantly yoga gives you control over your life.

TNIB: What about all these bridal boot camps we hear about?  Do I need to spend hundreds of dollars on trainers, classes and gym memberships to get in shape for my wedding?

Ritu: No , not at all. With health and fitness booming as an industry there are many different programs out there. Although they are a great way to get support in achieving your goals it is not necessary to join a formal training program. If you are self disciplined then creating your own plan and being resourceful is all you need. Yoga can be done in your own home and videos are easily found on You Tube. There are plenty of free walk/run groups in every neighborhood AND you can even find eating support groups at your local sports store or on Meetup.com. 

TNIB: Are there certain yoga postures or fitness exercises I should put into my daily routine?

Ritu: In fitness do things that you enjoy and have fun doing and in yoga do the poses that are  painfully good for yoga. For example, if you know you have tight hamstrings and open hips then do forward bends to release your hamstrings and work through the intensity but reward yourself by spending sometime in pigeon pose. In fitness if you enjoy being around people and socializing then maybe join a group exercise class or a sports team.  If you need time to yourself go on a hike or run. There is no one size fits all prescription to wellness, your ideal routine is one that you will enjoy and do.

TNIB: If I really want to see maximum results, what do I need to do

Ritu: Eat. Move. Meditate.

TNIB: Anything else you would like to add?

Ritu: I always hear people say I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible or I can’t workout because I’m not strong. That’s like saying I can’t go to school because I don’t have a degree! Its ridiculous. You start a program to build flexibility and build strength and the only way to do that is let go of expectations and assumptions and just do it. Start today, not Monday.

 Healthy Happy Bride Week continues tomorrow on The New Indian Bride as we explore the topic of meditation!