The Benefits of Yoga

I did not get into yoga to get stronger or to become more flexible.  My body actually kind of "forced" me into yoga because it was too sensitive to tolerate any thing else.  Because of the Lyme I am on an aerobic restriction, and even if I wasn't, the fatigue makes it very difficult to have the energy to exercise.  So, during my most recent flare, I discovered yoga.  I'd been doing yoga on the Wii fit (which I know really doesn't count) for a couple of years, but I didn't realize that there's so much more to it.  Yoga has truly changed my life- the way that I view things, my relationship with my body, my reaction to physical pain, my ability to handle stressful situations.... I could go on and on.  I am blessed to have a one on one instructor who has taught me so much.  I'd like to share some of my favorite poses and then I'll talk about my favorite kind of yoga- Restorative Yoga!

"Pose of the Child"














"Modified Child's Pose"









"Tree Pose"

So, why yoga?  According to the MayoClinic, here are some of the great benefits:

• Stress Reduction
• Increased Fitness
• Management of Chronic Health Conditions
• Weight Loss

Okay, now on to my favorite kind of yoga- RESTORATIVE YOGA!!!  This type of yoga is very passive- it uses blankets, yoga blocks, straps, sandbags, eyebags, etc. to do all of the work for you!  It truly feels like a vacation for your body!  You hold each pose (as you are supported by your prop) for a given length of time (maybe 5-15 minutes, depending on the pose) while you just lie there and experience a great state of relaxation.  Sounds pretty good, huh?  My group instructor says it can really help with getting us out of that constant "fight or flight" mode that most people are constantly in.  According to her, it can also be helpful for fighting adrenal fatigue, boosting the immune system, helping chronic pain, and coping with grief or stress.  Here are some examples of restorative poses:

To learn more about yoga, check out these yoga sites:

• Yoga Journal
• Daily OM
• Yoga Bear Videos

More Natural Sunblock for the Summer

UV Skinz are swimshirts with a UPF rating of 50+, but without all of the chemicals!  These are a great way of protecting yourself from the sun, without the added worry of reapplying sunblock through out the day.  With Melanoma on the rise (a 200% increase since the 70's), these are a great way to prevent those nasty burns that can lead to skin cancer.  This site sells shirts for babies, kids, and adults.  They also have hats and little shade tents to provide protection for those sunny days on the beach or at the park.  Check out their site to learn more about the products UV Skinz



Looking for more sites with products to protect you from the sun?  Check out the following:

• Coolibar - sun protective clothing, hats, and swim wear
• SunDay Afternoons - sun hats and sun protective clothing
• Sun Protection Hats - the name pretty much says it all
• Sun Grubbies - sunblock clothing, hats, swimwear, and coverups
• Solartex Sungear - sun protective clothing, swimwear, hats, sun protection

Combat the bugs & sun- the NATURAL way!

Although summer has already started, I wanted to do a quick post on some must-have healthy products!  Protect yourself from the sun and bugs, while protecting yourself from unwanted toxic chemicals that are in many traditional sunscreens and bugsprays!

Bug Away by Real Earth (find it at Abe's Market) - A Natural & Deet-Free Insect Repellent

Bug + Sun (SPF 30) Protection by Real Earth (find it at Abe's Market) - All Natural Bug & Sun Combo

BuzzAway Citronella Candle by Quantum Natural Insect Repellents (find it at Herbtrader) - It comes in a cute little tin (which is great for traveling!) and burns up to 20 hours.

Bug Off! Bug Bite Soother (find it at Abe's Market) - A natural soother for the post-bug bite itch!

Grief - An Unique & Ongoing Process

I've been feeling like my emotions have been "stuck" lately, which made me decide to get the movie "Beaches" from Netflix.  I probably won't have a chance to watch it until the weekend, but I know that it will evoke emotions within me that I for some reason am not able to access right now.  I "feel" them, they just won't come out!  I've had this issue most of my life, so I'm not too surprised that it's happening now.  Anyway, during my search for movies, I read of "Cinematherapy".  It sounds like something I've been doing unknowingly for years (watching a movie, crying, journaling about your thoughts/feelings after).  It also indicates that you should pay close attention to your breath and be very aware of your body throughout the movie.  Here is a site that talks about Cinematherapy and lists some movies that may be helpful depending on your specific life circumstance.  Another site called Self-Healing Expressions has a great movie list, that categorizes recommendations by type of loss (i.e., parent, sister, friend, etc.).  Amazon additionally has a list called "Movies that help you cope with death, grief, and loss".  I am not convinced that watching any of these movies will "help" me, but I do think it should be therapeutic to cry, grieve, and reflect on my emotions.

I'd also like to list some book recommendations I've been given and those that I've come across on the internet.  Please know that these books may not coincide with your personal belief system, so make sure it's a good "fit" before you get it. As of now, I have not had the opportunity to read any of these books, but I plan to in the future.

• When You Lose Someone You Love by Richard Exley
  
• No One Cries the Wrong Way: Seeing God Through Tears by Dr. Joe Kempf
  
• The Dance of Life: Weaving Sorrows And Blessings into One Joyful Step by Henri J. Nouwen
  
• In Memoriam by Henri J. Nouwen
  

I was going to list some websites that I've found that have helpful information and resources about grieving, but I've decided that this post is getting kind of long- so I think I'll save the rest for another day.  Take care!

Image Above: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In Honor of Laura

In honor of my best friend that just passed, I'd like to share this video clip about Melanoma.  Melanoma is being called a "young person's disease" and is the number one cancer that kills women ages 25-30.  Please take the time to watch and learn from this informative video.



Learn more about Melanoma at the AIM at Melanoma website.

Plants- An Easy Way to Reduce Indoor Toxins

My husband and I are currently looking into buying a house.  During this process, we've come across a few homes that have had strong odors from fresh paint and new carpet.  I know that opening doors and windows and installing a good filter in your A/C system can help, but I also know that house plants can help to clean your indoor air.  This led me to do a little research to find out what plants are most helpful for clearing out those indoor toxins.  According to Annie Bond's article on the care2 website, these were the best options:

• Areca palm
• Reed palm
• Dwarf date palm
• Boston fern
• Janet craig dracaena
• English ivy
• Australian sword fern
• Peace lily
• Rubber plant
• Weeping fig

If you have a pet, make sure you read this article to determine whether these indoor plants could pose a risk to your furry friend.

 Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Reducing Toxins in the Home

Here's a great video from Sutter Health, on how to reduce toxins in your home.  And here is another on indoor air pollution.

"Green" alternatives for products that are typically used:

• Flooring/carpet:
• Use natural fiber carpets made of wool or cotton.  Look into renewable resources for you flooring, like cork, palm, and bamboo.
• Paint
• Choose no volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints with natural pigments.
• Materials used in furniture & household decor:
• Wash curtains before hanging and let new furniture "gas off" outside for at least a week before bringing into the home.  If these suggestions aren't practical, buy products with natural materials such as wool, cotton, linen, or silk.  Make sure products are not treated with chemicals to repel moths or flames.
• Avoid furniture made with chipboard wood because it contains formaldehyde, and avoid plastics because they often contain harmful toxins.
• Cleaning products:
• Use natural products to avoid bringing unnecessary toxins into your home.  Many of these cleaners are just as effective as the ones made with harsh chemicals, but the natural formulas don't pose a hazard to your health.

Things you can do to reduce the build up of indoor toxins:

• buy plants to help clear the air
• change your AC air filter regularly
• use natural cleaning products
• open your windows regularly (even in the winter!)
• remove your shoes before entering your home (you don't want to welcome those pesticides from the lawn into your home)
• avoid using artificial air fresheners

Where do you buy "green products" for the home?  Check out some of these sites:

• EcoByDesign
• Organic & Healthy, Inc.
• Green Building Supply

More Resources:

• Eco-novice - 10 Easy Ways to Reduce Toxins in Your Home
• Green Living Ideas
• Ecologist - Reduce Toxins & Green Your Baby's Nursery
• More about VOCs