Dr. Oz's comments about realistic resolutions and Yoga!

Dr. Oz has some realistic resolution comments, I'd like to share, but particularly, the comments about yoga.....

2. Do seven minutes of yoga a day. “I tell most folks that if you haven’t tried it, at least do one class of yoga to understand what it’s about,” Dr. Oz said. “The most important thing about yoga isn’t about how loose you are. It’s not about showing off how you can get into pretzel-like poses. It’s about focusing on the breath while you get into those poses and the relaxed state of mind that goes into it.” Dr. Oz said he commits to just seven minutes of yoga each morning that includes a variation on the sun salutation, a flowing series of 12 poses. He adds 20 push-ups between each stage and ends with jackknife sit-ups. “It centers me and allows me to loosen my limbs up so I don’t have nagging small injuries,” he said. “Most people aren’t brazen enough to admit they can’t carve out seven minutes in their schedule.”

Here is the link to the rest of the article.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/realistic-resolutions-from-dr-oz/

See you on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas for Gentle Beginning Yoga!

Yoga in America-Study by Yoga Journal

Yoga in America - study by Yoga Journal
The number of people practicing yoga in the US has reached nearly 16 million and is expected to continue to grow steadily.

The latest "Yoga in America" study, just released by Yoga Journal, shows that Americans spend $5.7 billon a year on yoga classes and products, including equipment, clothing, vacations and media (DVDs, videos, books and magazines). This figure represents an increase of 87 percent - almost doubled compared to the previous study in 2004.

Yoga Journal also reported that the2008 study indicates taht 15.8 million people, or 6.9 percent of the US population, practice yoga. Of current non-practioners, nearly 8%, or 18.3 million Americans, say they are very or extremely interested in yoga. And 4.1 % of non-practioners, or about 9.4 million people, say they will definitely try yoga within the next year.

The study also collected data on age, gender and other demographic factors:

* 72.2% are women, 27.8% are men.
* 40.6 % are 18 to 34 years old; 41% are 35 to 54; and 18.4% are over 55.
* 28.4% have practiced yoga for one year or less; 21.4% have practiced for one to two years; 25.6% have practiced two to five years; and 24.6% have practiced more than five years.
* 71.4% are college educated; 27% have postgraduate degrees.
* 44% of yogis have household incomes of $75,000 or more; 24% have more than $100,000.

The 2008 study indicated that almost have (49.4%) of current practitioners started practicing yoga to improve their overall health. In the 2003 study, that number was 5.6%. And they are continuing to practice for the same reason. According to the 2008 study, 52% are motivated to practice yoga to improve their overall health. In 2003, that number was 5.2%.

"Yoga is no longer simply a singular pursuit but a lifestyle choice and an established part of our health and cultural landscape," says Bill Harper, publisher of Yoga Journal. "People come to yoga and stick with it because they want to live healthier lives."

One significant trend to emerge from the study is the use of yoga as medical therapy. According to the study, 6.1% of nearly 14 million Americans, say that a doctor or therapist has recommended yoga to them. In addition, nearly half (45%) of all adults agree that yoga would be beneficial if they were undergoing treatment for a medical condition.

And what about those Baby Boomers?

In just a couple of years, according to recent statisitcs, the number of Baby Boomers-aged adults participating in yoga classes increased by three million. Attend a yoga class and you'll find that it's not exclusively populated by younger women. Older women-and many older men-are also attending yoga classes.

According to the National Institutes of Health, yoga:

* Improves mood and sense of well-being
* Counteracts stress
* Reduces heart rate and blood pressure
* Increases lung capacity
* Improves muscle relaxation and body composition
* Helps with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia
* Improves overall physical fitness, strength, and flexility
* Positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals

"Yoga as medicine represents the next great yoga wave," says Kaitlin Quistgaard, editor in chief of Yoga Journal. "In the next few years, we will be seeing a lot more yoga in health care settings and more yoga recommended by the medical community as new research shows that yoga is a valuable therapeutic tool for many health conditions."

The Yoga Diet from Body and Soul Magazine - A Martha Stewart Company

As we get into the "over-eating" season, ponder this article from the latest Body & Soul Magazine from the Martha Stewart Company (who herself is an avid yoga practioner).

The Yoga Diet.

Taking up yoga could help reshape your eating habits, which may help you lose weight. In a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study (see my side bar for the entire article on the research), of 303 adults who were physically active, researchers found a link between doing yoga and eating mindfully: yoga practicing participants reported focusing only on their food while eating, for instance, or ceasing to eat once they felt satisfied. No such link was found among those who did other forms of exercise.

"Since yoga heightens your awareness of your body in general, it makes sense that it would hlep you to pay more attention to your eating patterns and appetite", says J. Adam Rindtleisch, M.D., of the University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine Clinic. Many other mind-body methods--including meditation and tai chi--can also deepen your body awareness and motivate you to eat more consciously he adds. Those practices can also reduce stress, which could help you savor your food rather than frantically speed through each meal.

For a head start on becoming a calmer, more mindful eater, take a moment before your meal to breathe deeply and offer gratitude for your food. As you eat, tune into the sensations you experience with every bite. "When you're aware of how each morsel of food affects you." says Rindfleisch, "you're more likely to feel full not only physically, but also mentally." - E. B.

10 Best Yoga Poses for Women An Article on Yoga from the Women's Health Magazine

And now a interesting article from the Women's Health Magazine.

Start yoga, stop snacking

It's no news that yogis are typically hotties. (okay, well they aren't talking about me....) But science is showing there's more behind the enviable yoga butt than chair pose.

A study in August's issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that people who practice yoga regularly also eat more mindfully. That essentially means they eat when they're hungry (as opposed to sad, stressed, or bored), focus on their food while eating (instead of the TV or Web browser), and stop when they're full. The study showed that these habits are also associated with a lower BMI (Body Mass Index).

Similarly researchers in Australia published results of a study that showed a home yoga practice reduced the severity of binge eating disorder.

Try this sequence

10 Best Yoga Poses for Women - Practice these 10 poses in this order at least 3 times a week for optimal overall health.

Child's Pose
Stretches hips, quads, back

Downward Facing Dog
Stretches spine, hamstrings, glutes, calves; strengthens deltoids, triceps

Warrior II
Stretches hips, inner thighs, chest; strengthens quadriceps, abdomen, shoulders

Plank Pose (Modified Plank shown- full plank, knees lifted)
Strengthens arms, back, shoulders, core, quadriceps

Fierce Pose (otherwise known as "Chair Pose")
Stretches spine; strengthens quadriceps, ankles, back

Tree Pose
Stretches hips, inner thighs; strengthens legs, spine, core

Garland Pose (Sumo Squat - Mongolian Style!) - Not shown
Stretches low back, groin, hips, ankles

Boat Pose
Strengthens core, psoas, quadriceps

Bridge Pose
Stretches front of body; strengthens hamstrings, glutes

Half Lord of the Fishes
Stretches hips, shoulders, back, neck; strengthens spine

Neti Pot vs the Flu. What shall I do?

A friend of mine posted this, and I thought it was worth sharing!

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS, DRM, DNB (Intensivist and
Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has
worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Saifee
Hospital, Tata Memorial etc.

Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department
and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad
(W). The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot
of sense and is important for all of you to know.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and
mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost
impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all
precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much a problem as
proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any
symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation,
aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some
very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official
communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock
N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or sleep).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much warm liquids as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
   

Here is what Dr. Oz recently said...

"Nasal cleansing using a well-designed Neti pot can help you:

• Clear your nasal passages
  
• Remove excess mucus
  
• Reduce dust and pollen by cleansing nasal passages
  
• Relieve nasal dryness
  

Further, Dr. Oz said in an interview with Healthy Living Magazine:

“When you use it [a Neti pot] properly, it reduces dust and other contaminants in the nose, and it’s a very effective way to clean the sinuses. Modern studies are showing that it’s as effective as drugs for preventing sinus infections. Regular use of a neti pot is also hugely beneficial for people with nasal allergies and headaches. It just takes all the gelatinous goo out of there.

What a lot of people don’t know is that the sinuses are linked closely to lung health. The sinuses are a major source of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide opens things up: the blood vessels, the airways. When we intubate a patient through the nose, we always worry about how that will affect their breathing -- because it can reduce the lungs’ content of nitric oxide. So, it follows that keeping the sinuses healthy also keeps the lungs full of fresh, clean air.”

Gaileee

Yoga Mat Bag, Repurpose shirt into Yoga Capri's!

Over at Sew Mama Sew, is a giveaway, and several tutorials on how to make a yoga mat bag, crocheted, and of course sewing, plus making your own wet bags and turning shirt sleeves into yoga capri's!

Hop on over to Sew Mama Sew, Post a comment, maybe you'll win the book too! http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=2501 http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=2501

Gaileee

Prenatal Yoga Testimonies

Prenatal Yoga Testimonies

What some of my Prenatal clients have said about the Yoga that I teach....

From Amy, a prenatal student.
"I did thoroughly enjoy your prenatal yoga classes--the physical activity was wonderful. Also, I truly enjoyed the community of pregnant women in tune with our bodies and so positive and hopeful about the tiny bodies, minds and spirits of the babies in our tummies. Attending your classes made the L&D (Labor and Delivery) of my second baby even easier and smoother than that of our first baby."

From Cryss, a prenatal student.
"I love your yoga class. Being pregnant I am worried about popping my back like I used to and the weekly yoga classes help relieve the stress in my mid and lower back. I feel more relaxed after doing yoga, it is so wonderful I almost fall asleep at the end of the class. The meditation portion helps me learn to focus my mind on things that are not the present. It has helped me learn to cope with stress and breathe instead of getting so frustrated! Anyways, love it and would recommend it to anyone!"

From Lynn, a prenatal client.
"I used the various yoga postures that Gail taught us in class, to help manage the contractions. I had to be induced, and was able to walk around, sit on the birth ball, and use my Yoga breath, to ease the severity of my contractions. I didn't need to use any narcotics or pain relief. My pelvis was so opened up, that she came out after 4 pushes! After the birth of my baby, the nurses were so surprised how quickly I recovered. I was ready to go home that day! This was my smallest baby of 8 pounds and 4 ounces."