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Mind Body Messenger
Issue #31, December 2005
Keeping Up With Heather…
This month’s column explores some new health and wellness news, and some new products that are in the news or have been passed by my desk. As always, please exercise caution and exercise with caution. Consult your health care practitioner and use common sense before initiating any new health, fitness or health care practices.
Did you hear?
…that more than half of Canadians report sleeping trouble? Who isn’t sleeping? More women then men suffer from insomnia, and shift work, drug and alcohol consumption and high stress levels are significant sleep barriers. Who is sleeping soundly? The more highly educated, highly paid, and more fit you are the more likely you are catching enough Z’s every night. For more on sleeping soundly see “Sleep On It” in our e-archive.
…technology is not only stressing us out, but also dumbing us down? Enroute Magazine reported that 62% of adults in the UK are addicted to checking emails out of office hours and on holiday? The report also suggested that constant interruptions from phones, emails and other technology can take 10 points off your IQ – an impact equal to the that of a sleepless night or smoking pot. See the October issue of Enroute for more.
…practitioners of yoga are more likely to prevent age-related weight gain? The average person will gain 1 pound per year between the ages of 45 and 55, but those who regularly include yoga in their lifestyle program not only didn’t gain the usual one pound per year, but those who were over-weight actually lost weight after beginning the study. Other health benefits of yoga include promoting a sense of well-being and helping to develop the discipline to build a consistent health practice, both essential for lifelong health and fitness. This study is just yet another demonstration that yoga can have a significant impact on your health, wellness, and longevity.
What’s New in Wellness?
For those who suffer from foot pain and tension, especially that caused by wearing high heels, a new form of foot fitness is taking off. Yamuna Body Rolling is introducing Yamuna Foot Fitness programs, along with foot massagers and exercisers. As the feet form one of the three most important “platforms” for our posture and alignment, good foot fitness is essential for good health. For more on Yamuna visit www.yamunabodyrolling.com
Masai Barefoot Technology or MBTs are rocking the feet of rock stars, models, and celebs hoping for improved foot function and decreased low back pain. The theory behind the MBT is that because we walk on hard and flat surfaces all day, the foot, leg and hip don’t have the opportunity to respond to the strength and bone building stresses of uneven surfaces. Like many other health risks of our streamlined lifestyle, walking on concrete and carpet all day causes low back pain, joint problems, decreased balance and agility. Wearing the MBTs gives your body an unstable surface to challenge smaller muscles, and decrease tension and – according to the makers - decreases in hip and thigh cellulite.
Another new technology that I’ve been hearing about is the nano-technology found in Lifewave Patches. This wellness technology comes in the form of electromagnetic patches that wearers place on the body to balance energy and sleep patterns, and enhance health and vitality. This is not a trans-dermal patch - there isn’t a medication or chemical entering your bloodstream - it’s simply a “wave” of energy, and I’m hearing some good things about it. For details contact Randall Carpenter at www.artemisfoundation.com.
Looking to enhance your immune system this season? Makers of Himalayan Goji Juice report that the unique polysaccharide found in their juice causes significant improvements to immune function, along with many other heath benefits. This is one new product that I’ve actually tried, and along with the delicious taste, I did notice an improvement in my health, a glow in my skin, and a nice energy boost. For more information on this newcomer to the liquid supplement scene visit www.gojibook.com or contact Christopher at christopherlipscomb2@freelife.com
After a recent small but significant study in Canada on the amount of toxins we store in our bodies, the spotlight is shining even brighter on the household and environmental pollutants that may be adversely affecting our health. The convenient cleansers, fabric softeners, dishwashing packs and air fresheners that you love may be causing respiratory difficulties and allergies in all ages, and may be contributing to immune deficiencies and cancers with long term exposure. To reduce the pollutants in and around your home, switch from harmful chemical cleaners to a mixture of water and vinegar, or try the natural cleaners and detergents available at Melaleuca www.melaleuca.com or www.saferforyourhome.com. To order email Wendy at starlika@aol.com
If you’ve tried a new wellness product, athletic clothing, health treatment or fitness equipment that you’ve found beneficial tell us all about it. Email heather@yogatrinity.com and we’ll check it out!
Wishing you a deLightful December!
Namasté,
Heather.
Success Strategies
This month we are initiating a new regular column exploring your fitness success. To get us started over the next few issues I’ve asked a few of my clients to share some of their success strategies, and I hope that you will not only benefit from their wisdom and experience, but also share your own stories of fitness, wellness, and lifestyle success.
Nancy was first a client over five years ago, and our sessions focussed mainly on improving her aerobic fitness and discussing changes to her diet. At the time, Nancy’s biggest obstacle was a lack of energy and motivation in exercise, and a lack of discipline in her eating. We began working together again this spring, and in our first session I was amazed to see how much stronger, more motivated, and more disciplined she was. She has lost weight, strengthened and toned her body, and is enjoying the process of lifelong wellness. I asked her to reflect on the keys to her success.
- Nancy has a home gym, and this is a big part of her success plan. She doesn’t have to drive anywhere, book a treadmill, or make any childcare arrangements. She has a treadmill, bike, elliptical machine, free weights and universal in her finished basement, and along with a cd player and television, this helps her stay motivated and makes for a program with variety and convenience.
- The foundation of Nancy’s program is doing 30-60 minutes of cardio 5 days a week in the morning, before anything else in her life can get in the way. She wears a heart rate monitor because she finds that without the feedback of the monitor, she doesn’t get to her training intensity, and her fitness level suffers.
- Keeping an eye on her diet is an essential aspect to maintaining her weight. Although she allows herself one great treat a day, she keeps other extras to a minimum. Vegetables and fruits being her biggest challenge, she is trying out new soup recipes to try to get to her RDI, and occasionally tracks her diet to stay aware.
- Now this isn’t a shameless self-promotion (although it’s not beneath me), but Nancy swears that her weight training sessions with her trainer have helped her to achieve much greater success in her strength, weight loss and endurance goals. She reports that she would never work so hard on her own, and is determined to keep up with her 2 sessions a week in order to not only maintain her great shape, but keep working towards fitness success.
Overall, I would say that although Nancy has a much better equipped home gym than the average person, her successes are that which anyone could have with a little planning, tracking, and support. What was the first step to her success? Taking the time to realistically determine what equipment, programming, and ongoing training/tracking she needed to stay on course.
To share your success strategies write to heather@yogatrinity.com. Never forget that your trials and errors as well as your successes offer a wealth of wisdom and motivation for others!
Thai Yoga Massage
Benefit body, mind, and spirit with this dynamic, meditative, and deeply relaxing massage method blending Massage, Yoga postures, Accupressure, Ayurveda, Breathwork, and Energetic Healing. Enjoy a treatment in your home today, and take advantage of my special introductory package for yourself, a group of friends, or give it as the Ultimate Christmas Gift!
In HomeThai Yoga Massage:
- 60 minute treatment- $60
- 90 minute treatment- $90
- Three 90 minute treatments - $225
To book your Thai Yoga Massage call Heather at 416.722.7154
YTT Update
We only have three spaces left in our Australian Yoga Teacher Training Program, for info visit www.yogatrinity.com. Details are not yet ironed out on our Canadian program, but if you want to help us create a schedule, venue and program that works for you, please express yourself by emailing heather@yogatrinity.com.
Thoughts On…
Being the Message
If you want opposite results from what you have been getting, take the opposite course: Turn all demands inwards. Demand your own power. Insist that your mind work for you, not against you. Demand that you stop being so afraid. Command your habits to be what you wish. Demand constant and sincere work toward your own deliverance.
Anyone can make loud demands upon people, and government, and society. If you don’t want to be just anyone, ponder these ideas.
The world desperately needs bold individuals who connect their understanding with their powers. By boldness I don’t mean public arrogance and loud talk, springing from cunning egotism. We need men and women who are not afraid to be themselves, who bravely battle for inner conquest, those with a glimpse of the New Life which impels them to turn their backs on shadows and their faces to substance.
When you attain a degree of self-transformation, you need not tell others about it. If you really have, they will know. You spontaneously send out radiations which they intuitively sense. The light in them responds to the light in you. Neither you nor they need have any connections with exterior or man-made forms of religion or education. It is all a matter of inner essence. India’s enlightened teacher, Sri Ramakrishna, likened it to the way a lotus blossom attracts bees. Because of the honey is there, the bees fly to it.
In this higher state you can help others in the only way that counts-not merely by doing something for them, but by being someone who truly understands. To see how this is so, we can recall a previous point: Through self-work, the mystic has found his own way home, and so can aid others. It is as if he stands on top of a high hill and looks down on the prairie where a confused humanity wanders about. Knowing where the Path starts, he calls down. But how many, do you suppose, will look up and listen?
Excerpt from The Mystical Path to Cosmic Power by Vernon Howard.
Yoga For Mind and Body
Part of an ongoing series offering yoga postures for men, women, and children to practice at home, school, on the road or in the office. With special thanks to Ross Pottinger of Wink Photo Design in Brisbane, Australia for the photos and the support in this project. And many thanks to Louisa Dick for taking part in the project. Do check with your health care practitioner before beginning a yoga practice. Many postures are not suitable for pregnant women, people with joint replacements, those with hypertension or other medical conditions. If you have a posture that you would like to see in this column, I welcome your suggestions. Namaste, H
Downward Dog is a simple pose that is so often “deconstructed” and over-analyzed. This is a pose that takes time and awareness to master, but I thought I’d offer you a simple and basic structure to begin to practice, until to find your own inner dog.
 To Begin: From Child’s Pose stretch your arms to the front of your mat with palms flat, tuck your toes under and then press hips up and back, straightening the legs to initiate the posture.
The Pose: With hands and toes spread wide, middle digit facing forward, stretch into hands and feet to try to connect inner and outer surfaces, heel and toe of hand and foot into the ground. Think of lifting and separating your sit bones to stretch your hips up to the sky and back to the back of your mat. Hands should be shoulder width apart, feet hip width apart.
To Intensify: Strengthen the front of thighs to support the opening of the back of thighs. Encourage activation of the inner arms to draw elbows towards one another and broaden shoulders. This activation should come from deep within the shoulders rather than from hands or elbows. What we want from this pose is to activate the front and back of the body, the left and right, and the inner and outer aspects of the body.
Breathing: Hold the pose for 5 deep breaths. Be conscious of moving the breath into the front, sides and back of the ribs, keeping lower abdominals engaged to support the spine.
To Modify: If you have tension or issues in your wrists, you may like to double up your mat under the heels of your hands or balance on elbows instead of hands. Utimately this pose should not cause wrist tension as you learn to bring weight into every finger rather than compressing the wrist joint.
Focus: Focus the gaze just above the knees to ensure a good alignment of the neck and head.
Cautions: Keep in mind that you want to create space in this pose. Any feelings of jamming, compression or tension should be alleviated by lifting, softening and supporting each joint in the movement.
Benefits: Increases strength and stamina in the whole body. Stretches back of thigh and calf, and encourages good alignment and use of upper body strength. Used in a “vinyasa” or flow this pose helps to reset the body and maintain heat.
Philosophy: A posture of humility, we encourage taking the pose with an unassuming nature and a naturalness that will limit the desire to struggle and strain.
Variations: Wag your tail to release hips and lower back. Extend one leg at a time to elongate back of leg. “Walk out” one heel at a time to stretch and release calves and feet.
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