Manager’s NoteSynchrony and synergy with nature is the secret to well-being in today’s fast-paced world. Adapting individual lifestyle to the each country’s customs and food has always been a challenge; for expats and now even for the locals, as we advance towards fast food options. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is every individual’s responsibility but with today’s advancing technology and costs that push exercise and healthy eating to the backburner, such a way of life seems to be unachievable by the common man.

Balance 360º is a concept that helps individuals achieve a healthy physical and mental personality while coping with work challenges and day to day problems. With 65 holistic therapies including yoga, hydrotherapy and pilates along with nutritious food from Balance Café, available under one roof at the concept, it becomes easy to attain a disciplined lifestyle that is also cost effective.

Just like you never forget to send your car for maintenance check, you should make it a point to regularly go to Balance 360º for the right advice to embark on a lifestyle that suits your body type. These lifestyle solutions are made simple and easy for you to correct your

routine from time to time and help get you back on track.

We tend to brush aside our body’s needs to cope up with the demands of today’s fast paced world, but getting your body maintained at regular intervals is better than facing a break-down one day with a serious condition.

As a doctor and business head, I too deal with day to day challenges but the only difference is that I have an understanding of the Do’s and Don’ts that go with my body type, which has helped ensure that I never fall sick.

Someone once said: “You are the best doctor to yourself”. This statement still stands true, as nobody understands your body better then yourself. It is YOU who has to make the healthy change in your lifestyle happen with a simple thought - I will value the health that I am blessed with and make sure I take-up the responsibility of maintaining it! Balance 360º is your first step to a hale and hearty future and we are waiting to help you....

Dr. Deepa B. DhavjekarBusiness Manager

YOGA & PILATES • ORGANIC & AYURVEDIC SPA • CAFÉ

a sanctuary for the self May-June 2012

GuestTestimonial C o n t e n tManager’s Note

Guest Testimonial

Summer Health Tips

Tips for Safe Yoga Practise

The Cooking School

Watermelon - Fruit of the month Nutritional Value & Health BenefitsAyurvedic NotesWatermelon Granita Recipe

Promotions

Balance Café - Meal Plans

I take this opportunity to thank all the staff and especially Dr. Chandy for encouraging and guiding me in my journey till now and oncoming future to reduce weight and increase my fitness level to become a healthy person.

I have been over weight throughout my life and tried many ways to reduce weight but failed. But through the holistic approach of Dr. Chandy along with yoga and pilates, I have been able to reduce16 kgs and is still going on. I am very excited about it now and do not feel bored of this routine. My yoga teachers Rekha, Balan and Hermoine have helped me alot and all the facilities at Balance have been absolutely fantastic.

Thus again I want to thank you all for my fitness and good health.

Ms. Asha Pilla

Summer Health TipsThe mercury is starting to shoot up and your first impulse is to grab a glass of chilled water, have an iced soda or one of the several carbonated drinks. These liquids can surely cool you down temporarily, but over time, the rising temperature can result in erratic mood swings or even an unstable digestive system. These cold drinks are a quick fix solution to the heat and their consumption is a challenging habit to break.

The ancient knowledge of Ayurveda provides simple solutions to maintain your ‘cool’ during the hot summer season, without any side-effects.

The digestion in an individual’s body is controlled by ‘Fire element’, according to Ayurveda. If ice cold water is poured over burning fire, it douses the flames; the same is true with the digestive power. Cold water or drinks disrupt the digestive system, making it weak. The body then has to work harder to digest and absorb nutrients while the pitta (the metabolism) becomes imbalanced. Irritability, loose bowel, aggressive behaviour or heart burn are all indications of a pitta imbalance.

Here are some tips by the Ayurvedic expert on how to beat the heat:

Chandy George - Lifestyle Ayurvedic Consultant

Keep your body hydrated. Drink at least 7-8 glasses of water every day, including one or two glasses with pitta-pacifying fresh mint or a table spoon of fresh lime juice or even a teaspoon of rose water. Drinks prepared with yoghurt, like Lassi (Laban) and buttermilk or with raw mango are strongly recommended during the summer months.

Fresh, sweet fruit and fruit juices are especially beneficial for balancing pitta and keeping the body cool and comfortable. Watermelon juice, fresh cucumber juice, lettuce juice and coconut milk are four of the most beneficial juices to pacify pitta. Drink at least one of these items several times a day.

Full-sleeved, loose, cotton clothes are preferable during summer to protect the body from the sun and to increase perspiration levels. Protect you scalp (head) from direct heat and sun’s rays by using light coloured caps. Avoid black caps during summer as it absorbs more heat. Also, apply sunscreen lotion on the body whenever you go outdoors and protect your eyes with good quality sunglasses which keep out harmful UV rays.

Keep your body hydrated. Drink at least 7-8 glasses of water every day, including one or two glasses with pitta-pacifying fresh mint or a table spoon of fresh lime juice or even a teaspoon of rose water. Drinks prepared with yoghurt, like Lassi (Laban) and buttermilk or with raw mango are strongly recommended during the summer months.

Fresh, sweet fruit and fruit juices are especially beneficial for balancing pitta and keeping the body cool and comfortable. Watermelon juice, fresh cucumber juice, lettuce juice and coconut milk are four of the most beneficial juices to pacify pitta. Drink at least one of these items several times a day.

Full-sleeved, loose, cotton clothes are preferable during summer to protect the body from the sun and to increase perspiration levels. Protect you scalp (head) from direct heat and sun’s rays by using light coloured caps. Avoid black caps during summer as it absorbs more heat. Also, apply sunscreen lotion on the body whenever you go outdoors and protect your eyes with good quality sunglasses which keep out harmful UV rays.

It is ideal if you can change your daily work-out timing to a morning slot. Keep body and mind clean by having two showers a day. This helps keep you sweat-free and also keeps away summer health issues like conjunctivitis (eye infection) because of the humid, dusty environment.

It is ideal if you can change your daily work-out timing to a morning slot. Keep body and mind clean by having two showers a day. This helps keep you sweat-free and also keeps away summer health issues like conjunctivitis (eye infection) because of the humid, dusty environment.

Certain fruits and spices tend to irritate pitta and thus should be avoided during the summer months. According to Ayurveda, strawberries and peaches are known to increase pitta and may even cause rashes or allergic reactions in certain people. If you want to have these fruits, poach them first in sweet syrup. Then add a tablespoon of heavy whipped cream or pour in a cup of cold grape juice and chill. This can even be a substitute for ice creams.

Certain fruits and spices tend to irritate pitta and thus should be avoided during the summer months. According to Ayurveda, strawberries and peaches are known to increase pitta and may even cause rashes or allergic reactions in certain people. If you want to have these fruits, poach them first in sweet syrup. Then add a tablespoon of heavy whipped cream or pour in a cup of cold grape juice and chill. This can even be a substitute for ice creams.

Tips for Safe Yoga Practice1. Adopt a beginner's mindEnsure that you take it slowly, if this is your first class or even if you have not done any Yoga for some weeks. Be really gentle on yourself so that you do not feel over-challenged.

2. Learn to listen to your bodyIn any yoga class, your body, not the teacher, is the real guide to what is best for you. Listening to your body is the key to a safe practice. If something doesn't feel right, ease out of the pose. If something feels like a strain, you're pushing too hard. If your body feels like it needs a break, get back into the child's pose.

3. Do your own pose, not your neighbour’sFor most of us, the mind tends to overrule the body. So if the person next to you gets his/her face all the way down to her shins, don‘t try to do the same. Yoga at its essence is about getting in tune with your body. The only right way to practice a pose is to ensure that it honours your body’s condition, and not by blindly emulating others.

4. Pick the right teacherTry to discover what style of teaching and approach suits you best. Not all teachers will have the same style and it is really important that you enjoy the class and are encouraged to keep practicing.

Pose of the MonthBhujangasana (Cobra Pose)Bhujanga = serpent, snakeAsana= pose

Benefits• Strengthens the spine • Soothes sciatica • Stretches chest and lungs, shoulders, and abdomen • Firms the buttocks • Stimulates abdominal organs • Helps relieve stress and fatigue • Therapeutic for asthma

Bring out the chef in youOur courses are designed for absolute beginners to enthusiastic home cooks and ambitious professionals. We offer a fresh approach to cooking with exciting cookery classes that emphasize hands-on cookery training.

With different cuisines and courses to choose from, designed to suit beginners as well as experienced cooks, our team of professional chefs will inspire you to cook with imagination and passion.

You will be greeted with a refreshing drink, a professional chef jacket and your own fully equiped state-of-the-art work station. Post session you will receive the recipes and also enjoy your culinary creation.

Healthy food series • Bakery food series • Italian food series • Thai food series • Indian food series(series include appetizer, entreé & dessert)

AED 250 per class AED 800 for any 4 classes of your choice

Limited seats available. Hurry & book your slot today!For schedule and booking, contact The Cooking School at 04 384 7010/7011 or balancecafe.oasis@cplmg.com

Watermelon& Health Benefits

Nutritional Value

Nutrition Facts (1 wedge, or 1/16 of a melon, about 1-2/3 cup)Calories 91.52, Protein 1.77gms, Carbohydrates 20.54gms, Dietary Fiber 1.43gms, Potassium 331.76mg, Vitamin C 27.46mg, Vitamin A 1046.76 IU

Watermelon is highly recommended to counter the heat in the body especially during the summer. These fruits are low in calories and very nutritious apart from being high in lycopene, second only to tomatoes. Recent research suggests that lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is effective in preventing some forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease. According to research conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, men who consume a lycopene-rich diet are half as likely to suffer a heart attack than those who had little or no lycopene in their diets.

Watermelon is also high in Vitamin C and Vitamin A, in the form of disease fighting beta-carotene. Research also suggests that it is the red pigmented food that provides this protection. Lycopene and beta-carotene work in conjunction with other plant chemicals, not found in vitamin/mineral supplements. It also contains Potassium, which is believed to help control blood pressure and possibly prevent strokes.

Watermelon & Food Melons digest very quickly and should never be combined with other food, even other fruits. Heavier, more difficult to digest, food prevents watermelon from traveling its normal supersonic speeds through the digestive tract. When bogged down inthe resulting traffic jam, bacteria attack the watermelon and ferment it, releasing gas.

Watermelon, Kapha & the KidneysWatermelon is 92% water and 6% sugar. Although it temporarily quenches thirst when eaten, watermelon ultimately dries the body because of high levels of potassium, a diuretic. The cooling, anti-inflammatory effects of beta-carotene, combined with diuresis help watermelon flush inflammation from the urinary tract. Its low calorie count, drying quality and ability to reduce insulin resistance are ideal for kapha dosha.

Ayurvedic notesAyurvedic notes

Watermelon and PittaOwing to the high levels of beta-carotene, watermelon substantially balances the blood and reduces pitta, justifying its prominence as a summertime favourite. Beta-carotene "brightens the eye" and 1.5 servings of watermelon daily have been shown to reduce age related macular degeneration (ARMD) by 36%. Watermelon also contains copious amounts of lycopene and vitamin C, useful as anti-oxidants.

Method1) Puree watermelon in a food processor.

2) Pour into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Stir in the syrup and lemon juice.

3) Place in freezer for about 4 hours or until frozen solid.

4) To serve, scrape up granita with a large spoon and place in goblets, tulip shaped wine glasses or ice cream dishes. Garnish with a narrow wedge of watermelon.

*To make sugar syrup: Combine 1/2 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for one minute. Stir constantly until all of the sugar has dissolved. Cool in the refrigerator.

Summer Recipe

Watermelon Granita (Serves Four)

• 5 cups seeded watermelon pulp• 1 cup sugar syrup• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Available in May@ AED 525 instead of AED 700

Promotionof the Month

* Terms & conditions apply.

* Terms & conditions apply.

Wellness TuesdaysTransform • Relax • Rejuvenate

De-stress Signature Facial+ Signature Relaxing Massage

Available in June@ AED 375 instead of AED 500

Shiatsu FlowBody Massage (90 min)

+VishuddhaFacial (60 min)

With every purchase of 60 min Ayurvedic Rejuvenating Facial (AED 300) receive a 30 minAyurvedic Back Care Massage worth AED 150 ABSOLUTELY FREE

MAY

With every purchase of 90 minKu Nye Tibetan Massage (AED 350) receive a 30 minEssential Oil Scalp Massage worth AED 150 ABSOLUTELY FREE

JUNE

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Monthly Meal Delivery plans for busy people, who want to lose weight, maintain a healthy lifestyle or improve fitness performance, prepared fresh by our chef under the supervision of an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant.

• Detox PlanDelicious daily meal delivery meant to detoxify & cleanse your body and aid the function of the lymph, kidneys, and liver.

Total calorie per day: 1145

• Weight-loss PlanHealthy meal delivery, left fresh on your doorstep every day. Each meal is nutritionally balanced and weighed out specifically for your body, and to help you lose weight.

Total calorie per day: 1145

• Athlete Plan High protein & low carb meal plan deliveries, meant for athletes and gym goers looking to regulate their nutrition, build muscles & enhance performance. Each meal is weighed out to maximize training time.

Total calorie per day: 1600

• Health & Vitality PlanHealthy delicious meals designed as per your body-type to restore and expand your natural health and vitality, with each bite.

Total calorie per day: 1400

• Diabetic PlanForget about the glycemic index. The healthy diabetic meal delivery plan features lean proteins paired with complex carbohydrates to keep your blood sugar under control.

Total calorie per day: 1145

DinnerAppetizer

Main Course

Freshly prepared delicious healthy meals delivered to your doorstep

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LunchAppetizer

Main CourseDessert

AED 49 per mealincluding delivery