Six Serious Life Lessons from Yoga and Tea

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Tea Talk 21Yoga and tea are ancient spiritual disciplines and therapies that work on creating harmony between mind, body and spirit. In the aaaah!… good stretch of the muscles and steeping of the tea leaves in hot water, lies an entire philosophy that is inspiring the world to change the way we live and think.

The principles of yoga are parallel with the art of tea. They both are addictive practices that alter the very way we feel, think, understand and experience life – a life beyond the good and the evil. I believe my tea journey wouldn’t have reached this present if my fifteen years with Ashtanga yoga, hadn’t morphed the confluence of my asanas into something more personal.

Yoga has so much to give us beyond its science of asanas. In the subtle moments of deep self-connection and introspection, it’s transformative powers inspire us to embrace change and grow to new heights. In case you are on a path to achieve modern day enlightenment and are in search of living a more deliberate life, here are six lessons that have helped me trust in the practice and in the answers that arise from it.

1. Alignment – One of the best lessons you can learn from yoga is to master the art of staying calm and not give a F. Yoga emphasises the most on the importance of correct body alignment, to hold an asana and do it correctly. This is a prerequisite for all the good energies to generate and flow, and bring us to a meditative state that we are seeking. Yoga teaches us how to live in harmony with life’s asymmetries, by subconsciously making us understand the significance of our health and well-being.

2. Courage – Off the mat, yoga teaches us our capacity to build strength and withstand life’s obstacles. Asanas are not exercises. They are very subtle methods of manipulating our energy in a certain direction. If practised correctly and mindfully, yoga can break down all the negative thinking patterns, psychological, emotional and physical barriers that inhibit us from thriving and feeling bulletproof.

3. Consciousness – The longest journey is the journey inward. Yoga helps to develop a connection with our soul, and it makes us experience the spiritual energy that is a pathway for higher awakening, consciousness, intuition and healing. Yoga and tea are forms of meditation and they make us realise, that mindfulness does not have to be complicated. Just ending a yoga session by lying down still and deep breathing in Savasana, followed by a cup of tea, simplifies the whole concept of “mindfulness”.

4. Feel less pain – Letting go and moving on is the hardest asana. In yoga, we are taught to “let go” when we are sitting calmly, deep breathing on the mat and even when we are trying to nail a headstand effortlessly. Releasing all the tension and breathing through the noise of it all, is the smoothest take-off. Yoga, just like tea, shows us that we have the power to silence the chaos within. Both the practices help us comprehend the true reality – that just as pain compounds with time, so do positive thoughts.

5. Evolve – Once you get into yoga and tea, you are a student for life. The science of asanas and the history of different kinds and styles, make our bodies limitless. Awakening our senses and opening our minds to receive information is the mantra that creates the “zest” factor in our lives. Yoga teaches us how to open to the world and stay receptive to all its possibilities and opportunities.

6. Self-love  – Yoga makes us sensitive and helps us listen to our body’s messages and emotions. It forms the connection that we are looking for. Right from what we should and shouldn’t eat, how we must deal with toxicity, to serious decisions about what we want and do not want in life – the practice of yoga creates a sacred foundation within ourselves, where there is more acceptance, freedom, love, peace, joy and light. It’s a total upgrade!

Inspired to read more about the uplifting effects of yoga and tea? Here are 5 reasons why Rangsaa is your best post-yoga drink.

Illustration credit: Erika Lourenco

TEA REVIEW – Rangsaa Levitate

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levitate-reviewDry leaves
Herbal infusion is a mix of dry cut herbs, floral petals, roots and spice chunks. Appeal is warm, inviting, colorful and zesty. Aroma is fresh, reminiscent of a fruity healthy summer drink – herbal, floral, citrusy with strong essence of spices.

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a light golden-amber color liquor with hue of crimson. The color is delicate and beautiful. The top tropical notes compliment the strong spicy unique undertones, with complex floral and herbaceous hints.  It coats the mouth with spicy, citrusy flavors, leaving behind a creamy, smooth and buttery spicy-sweet finish. The strong spicy characters, with hints of cardamom, are wonderful and pair really well with the natural sweetness of the tea. If you let it sit in your mouth, you can taste the surprising notes that work really well in balancing the flavors, attributing to a fresh, all-new flavor, delicious drink!

Infusion
1 tsp of leaves were infused in 200 ml pre-boiled water (100C) for 10 minutes. Although the infusion looked delicate, it surprised my taste buds with strong blend of flavors and aroma. The second infusion resulted from brewing the tea for 30 minutes. I had it iced and it was yum.

Rangsaa Levitate is a velvet smooth indulgence, pairing rich flavors. It’s relaxing, stimulating and a calming experience, where every sip soaks you in the atmosphere of a spa or a vacation. The journey of flavors is interesting and it makes you happy. Levitate is a delicate and fun tisane that would be really enjoyed during a cold evening and would be even better iced. Add a touch of vodka or gin to easily transform it into a celebration. The possibilities here seem endless.

5 Reasons Why Rangsaa is Your Best Post-Yoga Drink

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Tea Talk 4.pngRight after a yoga class, your mind is in a relaxed state, your body is invigorated and you are at peace. You feel rejuvenated and in touch with yourself as the last hour has only been about you. Tea is much like yoga in a cup. It relaxes the mind, calms nerves and leaves you feeling refreshed.

So no wonder the two go together really well. A widely known fact, yoga practitioners have been combining tea and yoga for quite some time. The synergies arising out of the individual benefits of yoga and tea make them perfect companions.

Rangsaa’s premium tea blends and tisanes bring the meditative aspect to a fresh cup of tea. A state where you are physically relaxed and mentally alert. All of a sudden in between sips you will find it unforced and unknowingly- Serendipi-Tea. Here’s why Rangsaa is your best post-yoga drink:

1. Keeps you healthy – Everyone who takes up yoga is certain to benefit from improved stamina, flexibility, breath control and reduced stress on a daily level. As for tea, Rangsaa Reborn is a rich source of antioxidants and is helpful in boosting metabolism, reducing inflammation and strengthening overall immunity. When yoga and Reborn work in tandem, the health benefits complement each other. For instance, yoga is known to improve circulation. This improved circulation further improves the distribution of the antioxidants you get from our power herb – Indian ginseng. The blend of green tea, Indian ginseng, gotu kola, cramp bark and other exotic herbs improves blood circulation, relaxes muscles and relieves stress through the mind-awakening and sensory experience it offers.

2. Leaves you energetic – A yoga session makes you feel rejuvenated, stretching your muscles out and putting your mind at peace. Much the same, the “tree of life” powerhouse moringa present in our Rangsaa Maximus promotes good cardiovascular health, boosts energy, improves mental alertness, while head-clearing tulsi, licoroce root along with other healing ingredients improve resistance to stress and heighten energy levels, while keeping you in yoga state of mind.

3. Smooth transition – Yoga is obviously a tool for meditation and relaxation above anything else and a smooth transition back to normal life is important after a yoga session. Rangsaa Levitate helps you do just that. The unique myriad of flavors and aroma through blend of pure vitamins and nutrients, uplifts senses, provides physical and mental balance while the slow release of energy eases your entry into the daily grind, giving you ample time to reflect and prolong the meditative state of mind yoga puts you in. The very act of drinking Levitate gives the transitory effect of easing out of mediation.

4. Has a calming effect – Yoga helps alleviate stress and so does Rangsaa Insignia. A hot cup of aromatic tea after yoga calms you further after a yoga session, mirroring the heat released by the body during the workout, making the process of easing into the day a smooth one. Having Insignia after yoga has a soothing effect on you as it relaxes your mind and makes you feel healthier.

5. Flushes toxins out: Yoga is a toxin-releasing exercise and is best followed with consuming a liquid that works towards the cause. Drinking Rangsaa Unwind after yoga is complementary to your yoga regime as it helps flush the toxins and harmful acids out from the body. The unique blend of Indian gooseberry with exotic herbs and spices, makes for the perfect delicious detox and follow-up to yoga.

If you are doing yoga in the morning, then follow your session with Elevate, Reborn or Maximus, since they have stimulating properties apart from their obvious health benefits. If it is the evening you choose for your sessions, go for Insignia, Unwind or Levitate as they have a calming effect. So the next time you finish your yoga session, don’t forget to make yourself a cup of Rangsaa to go with all the hard work you have put in!

TEA Trip One – Rishikesh, The Yoga Capital Of The World!

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The increasing worldwide interest in yoga has made Rishikesh a hot destination for all yoga lovers from around the world. People, who love yoga, also consider tea as a spiritual medium to heal and connect with their inner self. To explore the emerging tea culture in Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world, ‘Love for Tea’ decided to hit the road and explore the city.

Rishikesh, a nature buff’s paradise, has a serene and calm ambience, that will completely absorb you. With both relaxed and reverent vibes- right on the bank of river ganga, with fresh mountain air, sunrise over the peaks, incessantly ringing temple bells and power packed yoga centers and devotees, the city is a must visit tea destination.

After checking into a beautiful room at Tapovan, on the hilltop, we started our day of adventure. We walked through the forest from our hotel and reached Swiss Garden Restaurant. It’s a beautiful bistro in the middle of forest- with huge variety of great tea, awesome food, calm ambience, trance music and yes, free wifi. This place is a magnet for tea lovers and I highly recommend it.

Some of the teas that I tried here over the next few days are Mint tea, Herbal tea, Ayurvedic tea, Honey ginger lemon and Nepali tea. Nepali chai, as called by the locals, is made with spices without any tea leaves. It’s delicious and a must have. I had to connect with the head chief and learnt the recipe first hand. The recipe for Nepali Chai lands on my blog pretty soon.

We spent our next three days hiking, trekking, visiting numerous temples and exploring tea at local restaurants & cafes. Most of them had interesting menus for all taste. Chilling by the shore of the Ganga and making new friends was our normal activity there.

One of the memorable places during my visit was the Third Eye Restaurant, where we spent an evening after a long day at the beach. Next to the Beatles café, ‘The Third Eye Restaurant’ is another beautiful place with a breath taking view. We spent crazy hours over many rounds of tea here. The Tibetan Restaurant in Tapovan is another nice place to explore, with awesome variety of tea and multi-cultural cuisines. This place is packed with foreign travellers also because of a German bakery next door and Baba massage center right in front.

The organic and spiritual energy in Rishikesh reflects in the tea here, which besides being completely different in it’s presentation, is mostly made from fresh herbs, that offers a unique tea experience.

Best time to visit Rishikesh is during the winters. Tapovan is a must explore destination for all nature lovers. Thus we continued our Tea quest further towards the east of India, where the tea was already brewing for our arrival.