Lisa Stavrakas-LMT Yoga Massage Wellness Coaching

When We Fast and Focus on God and His Word, Transformation Happens!

Lisa Stavrakas, LMT
March – April 2026 • Vol 4, No 21

An Ayurvedic mono-diet fast, often called a Kitchari Cleanse,
is a gentle detoxification practice designed to rest the digestive system,
kindle the digestive fire (Agni), and balance the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).

Lent is a season in the liturgical church calendar that is dedicated to preparing minds, hearts and souls for Easter. On this day, many denominations around the world—including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and others—reflect the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness being prepared for His public ministry. In a similar way, Christians are challenged to maintain a posture of humility, acknowledging our dependence on God’s grace and mercy. Lent is a time to study and reflect on our thoughts, actions, and attitudes that separate us from the life God intends for His children. The stage is then set for the next 40 days, starting with Ash Wednesday in which people are encouraged to study the Bible, spend more time in prayer, have a regular schedule of fasting, and to be aware of the needs of the poor–and help meet those needs.

There is no “one way” of fasting that works perfectly for everyone. A fast is not a fad diet; it is an understanding of the fundamentals of eating and the relationship between thinking and food. Like Daniel in the Babylonian court, we can find a way of eating that is God-centered, enabling us to thrive and carry out God’s will. There are several different ways in which one can fast. For instance, an Ayurvedic cleanse is an ancient process that helps to gently nourish the deep tissues and guide the body into burning old, stored, fat-soluble toxins. It resets the digestive system with seasonal food and daily practices. The cleanse sets the stage for the body to naturally and gradually let go of the toxins that could affect emotions, mental clarity, and the immune system.

If we ate heavy, rich foods in the winter, which we all do to stay warm, in the spring, we are going to want to give the body a break and ease its natural process of detoxing. When the body holds on to these toxins, it creates congestion in the lymphatic system with symptoms such as: Allergies, rashes, itching skin, swollen hands or feet or holding on to more water, breast swelling and tenderness around the cycle, headaches, joint pain that moves around the body, swelling around the abdomen, cellulite, breast lumps, fibroid tumors, ovarian cysts, sore feet in the morning, sore throats, chronic colds, weak immunity, constipation, fatigue, and lack of mental clarity.

The reason allergies to pollen can be more easily triggered in springtime, may be due to your blood being too congested. Your body metabolizes winter fats in the springtime, making your blood rich, sweet, and thick. When afflicted in this way with congested blood, any single grain of pollen provokes a flood of mucus.

The best way to minimize mucus is by cutting back on foods that have similar qualities to mucus, such as thick, sticky, and rich. These foods increase the thickness and quantity of mucus, which  include dairy products (especially cheese), wheat & other heavy grains, and meat. When we detox or cleanse, we reset our digestive system, which can help alleviate seasonal allergies, symptoms from auto-immune diseases, and food allergies.

This Ayurvedic cleanse is based on a mono diet and is generally safer than most cleanses. The purpose of cleansing is to move out long standing imbalances. Therefore, cleanses can sometimes be exhausting, emotionally challenging, and physically uncomfortable. During the cleanse, you will want to eliminate as much stress as possible. Keeping your schedule lighter than normal is important. It is important that you take time to prepare for your cleanse by purchasing all your food items, set your intentions for the cleanse,  and begin to meditate and/or journal on the process.

A fast is not just about limiting food, it is about our spiritual/emotional health; it is about drawing nearer to God, allowing His word and the Holy Spirit to fill us—guiding us to what He wants us to see. That might be a challenging relationship, a job, idol(s), etc. When we fast and focus on God and His Word, transformation happens. We get more clear and lighter. 2 Peter 2:19 says: “People are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

Here are five examples from scripture of who fasted and why:

• Moses: Spiritual revelation
• Elijah: Strength and guidance
• Daniel: Clarity and understanding
• Esther: Courage and deliverance
• Jesus: Resisting temptation

For some, food has become their  master. What has become a master in your life? Let God be your portion. He is enough!

For more information on a Spring Faith and Fasting Ayurvedic Cleanse contact Lisa Stavrakas at lisa@renewellnessmt.com or (406) 600-7267.  She will be leading an online group Faith and Fasting Ayurvedic Cleanse starting March 26th, so act now to set yourself up for a successful fast during Lent. If this time frame doesn’t work for you, Lisa can assist you in setting up your own personal fast.

—Lisa

Lisa Stavrakas is an LMT, a Yoga Instructor, and an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach. Lisa has added Low Pressure Fitness to her holistic offerings for optimal health. She works with clients remotely through private online sessions and offers both in-person and virtual classes for those seeking guided support on their wellness journey.

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An Online, Monthly Program for Christian Women

Lisa Stavrakas, LMT
January – February 2026 • Vol 4, No 20

At the dawn of a New Year, we often jump into new resolutions but find that, by February, we’ve fallen back into the same old rut. According to James Clear, in his book Self Improvement, “A habit is a lifestyle to be lived, not just a finish line to be crossed. Make small, sustainable changes you can stick with.”

Ladies, are you ready to say “YES” to God’s calling for a deeper transformation over your health and/or your spiritual wellbeing? Are you ready to “put off the former self” and become renewed body, mind, and Spirit? Then this Whole-Body Wellness for Women is for you.

Whole Body Wellness for Women is an online, monthly, Christian platform with a holistic (body, mind, Spirit) approach to building community, lifestyle habits, and more through God’s word. It is about learning how to put off the old self and put on the new self. Paul’s message to the Ephesians and us in Chapter 4:22-23 talks about putting off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, coated to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

James Clear also says this about habits: “Bad habits interrupt your life and prevent you from accomplishing your goals. They jeopardize your health, both mentally and physically, and they waste your time and energy.” He goes on to say that, “You don’t eliminate a bad habit, you replace it.” I am sure we can all relate to Paul’s struggles with sin and the law outlined in Roman’s 7:14-25. In this scripture, we see how he expresses his desire to do good, his failure to do so, and his hope in Jesus Christ.

An unknown author put it like this: “Two natures beat within my breasts, one is foul, one is blessed. The one I love and the one I hate; the one I feed will dominate.” What nature are you feeding? When we do not know and/or live according to God’s word, God’s truth, the enemy wins the battle. Join this community of Christ-centered women, of all ages, who are all looking for a deeper transformation.

A community where we will build an inspiring, engaging, and supportive online sisterhood. A place where you will feel seen, heard, and lifted. God made us for community, the body of believers—His church.

In the Whole Body Wellness for Women Member-ship Program you will:

• Experience a deeper transformation that will lead you in a closer walk with the Lord.
• Sit at the feet of Jesus.
• Learn to empower the inner self through the renewing of our minds by allowing Christ into every area of your life.
• Know the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
• Learn your unique constitution to live the vibrant life God has created you to live.
• Develop what it looks like to have confidence in the Lord.

OUR MISSION:

• Enjoy monthly coaching calls with Biblical teachings; live and recorded.
• Create a comprehensive library of Soul Flow Yoga classes, meditations, and holistic biblical tools. The yoga classes and meditation are designed to incorporate the biblical teaching for the month and are recorded.
• Build an inspiring, engaging, and supportive holistic, Christian, wellness community online, where you will feel heard, seen, and lifted by other like-minded, God-loving women daily through a private communication page.
• Learn lifestyle habits that align with God’s creation to live vibrant lives.
• Receive discounts on retreats and other online programs that Renew Wellness offers (Low Pressure Fitness, Yin Yoga for Structural Integrity, a Faith and Fasting Program that is offered twice a year, and more.
• Be inspired by guest speakers.

In this unique wellness program, there are two plans and levels of commitment to choose from:

MONTHLY PLAN:

• Monthly Coaching Calls with biblical teachings (live and recorded)
• Recorded Meditation
• Recorded Soul Flow Yoga class

YEARLY PLAN:

• You’ll receive all the above with a one-year commitment to yourself, with $60 off on the Coaching Calls.
• Plus, an initial, Individual Coaching Session with two follow-up calls (valued at $300, with a $100 savings)

Scripture calls us to take the influence of Jesus everywhere we go. “You are writing a gospel, a chapter a day by the deeds that you do and the words that you say. Men read what you write whether faithless or true. What is the gospel according to you?”

—Lisa

Lisa Stavrakas is an LMT, a Yoga Instructor, and an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach. Lisa has added Low Pressure Fitness to her holistic offerings for optimal health. She works with clients remotely through private online sessions and offers both in-person and virtual classes for those seeking guided support on their wellness journey.

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Have Some Everyday Cleansing Green Soup!

Lisa Stavrakas, LMT
November – December 2025 • Vol 4, No 19

Rich meals, extra caloric intake, and other holiday transgressions can cause the blood to become like sludge, creating circulatory-and lymphatic-system overload. Signs and symptoms might be: mucus congestion, high blood pressure, or decreased metabolism, leaving you feeling tired, with cloudy thoughts, indigestion, acid reflux, food coma (drowsiness or lethargy), gas, or bloating. Here are some natural remedies based on Ayurvedic principles that should help you recover:

• Stay Hydrated with warm water.
• Drink CCF Tea— Cumin Seed, Coriander Seed, and Fennel Seed tea is an Ayurvedic tea used for supporting healthy digestion, soothing common digestive discomforts, and supporting the body’s natural ability to detox. (Add 1/2 teaspoon of each seed to 8 ounces of warm-hot water. Steep for 10 minutes. Sip throughout the day)
• Get a Belly Massage— Ask your therapist to massage up the right side of your abdomen, which is the ascending colon. Continue across the top from right to left, which is the transverse colon. Be sure to massage ahead of any point where there is stagnation. The block is usually downstream from the stagnant material. Stagnation in the transverse colon is usually due to the kink in the colon at the splenic flexure. Continue down the left of your abdomen, which is the descending colon.
• Take a Hot Bath— Great if followed by a warm-oil massage.
• Get a Warm Oil Massage (Abhyanga)— Helps move congested lymphatic fluid. Always gently massage towards your heart.
• Eat Bitter Greens— Bitters allow food to move through the digestive tract by stimulating peristalsis and increasing digestive enzymes, which increases energy, clears brain fog, detoxifies blood, de-congests the liver and gallbladder, decreases cholesterol, blood sugar, and triglycerides. Bitters also help to eliminate unhealthy food cravings by resetting your palate.
• Take a Day or Two of Simple Eating— with easy to digest food such as Kitchari, Dahl, or soups.
• Have Some Everyday Cleansing Green Soup— This recipe is from The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook by Kate O’Donnell. This soup is a warm alternative to cold green juice; it’s excellent especially in the winter months. The leafy greens recommended in this soup are considered astringent and bitter. Everyday Cleansing Green Soup helps to give your digestive system the boost it needs after the holidays, or after long travel.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1-inch piece of fresh gingerroot
• 1 cup packed chopped kale (about 2 small leaves)
• 4 cups packed chopped Swiss chard (about 4 large leaves)*
• 1 cup packed parsley leaves (no stems)
• 2 teaspoons ghee or coconut oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the vegetable broth and turmeric powder and bring to a boil on high heat. Peel and coarsely chop the gingerroot and add to the pot. Add the chopped kale and chard. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and oil. Remove from heat. If using an immersion hand blender, process in saucepan until completely smooth.

If using a carafe blender, transfer liquid and vegetables to carafe and add the reserved cup of broth to cool the mixture down. Put a towel over the blender top and hold it down with your hand.  Begin blending on low, gradually increasing the speed, until the soup is smooth. You may need to blend in two batches.

*Kate O’Donnell recommends replacing the chopped Swiss chard with the following seasonal ingredients:

• Spring: Broccoli, arugula, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and/or celery.
• Summer: Summer squash, zucchini, green beans, celery, and/or broccoli.
• Fall: Spinach, peas, and/or green beans.
• Winter: Spinach, Brussels sprouts, mung bean sprouts, and/or cabbage.

In Health and Happy Holidays! —Lisa

Lisa Stavrakas is an LMT, a Yoga Instructor, and an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach. Lisa has added Low Pressure Fitness to her holistic offerings for optimal health. She works with clients remotely through private online sessions and offers both in-person and virtual classes for those seeking guided support on their wellness journey.

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