My first introduction into Swara Yoga was in India, attending Yoga School in an immersion course. Prior to my first induction, I had no previous awareness that my nostrils took turns being dominant or that this had anything to do with which tasks I could perform more effectively or how my psychology was affected by such. The thought had just never crossed my mind, nor the wisdom, my path.
If you follow popular health living blogs, like those by Ben Greenfield or Rich Roll, you’ve likely heard of Wim Hof, better known as the Iceman. A self-named Dutch daredevil, Wim holds 26 world records, including one for the longest ice bath. While Wim’s methods are extreme, not all of his ideas are on the fringes of what we might call healthy.
Apps and Ayurveda might seem like oxymorons and, at first glance, they probably don’t share much beyond their alliteration. However, several new iPhone and Android apps allow users to make their Ayurvedic lifestyle easier and more realistic.
There are numerous ways to learn about healthy lifestyle practices, ranging from self-care to nutrition to exercise to yoga. Books, online and in-person classes, workshops, and friend-to-friend chats can all be great ways to learn more about the healing benefits of pine pollen, for example, or if plastic bottles are really safe.
I think it’s time we had the “poop-talk.” No one wants to admit that their stomach pains are because they haven’t had a bowel movement in a week, but if you aren’t pooping at least once per day, it might be time to bring in the big guns. Here are 7 ways to finally get your number two moving.
1. Chia Seeds
How’s your posture looking these days? Are you often hunched or slouched over your computer? Although many people may not pay mind to its importance, good posture is more than just about looking prim, proper, and pretty. It’s about keeping the spine in balance, and preventing any potential, future pain or health issues which may arise from not doing so.
Welcome to 2017! It can be hard to stick to your New Year's resolution all on your own, so we're creating a mindfulness movement for the New Year! Join us for our 30 Day Meditation Challenge and meditate your way to the best year yet! Videos will be posted daily to this article.
Have you tried meditating before? New to the practice? Need to get back into it -- this series is perfect for you!
Peppermint is in the genus Mentha which includes more than one hundred species, and is thought to be a natural hybrid of spearmint and forest mint. Its origin is believed to be in North Africa and the southern Mediterranean basin, and has been used in recipes and as a medicinal herb since 1500 B.C.E. It found its way as far north as Scandinavia and was mentioned in the Icelandic Pharmacopoeias in the mid-13th Century.
“Better indeed is knowledge than mechanical practice. Better than knowledge is meditation. But better still is surrender of attachment to results, because there follows immediate peace.” - Bhagavad Gita
Have you ever heard anyone use the term "get a backbone?" Perhaps you’ve used it yourself. Or "that person is so spineless." Well, there is a scientific reason behind these old adages. It turns out the spine is linked to many things, courage and confidence included.
Yoga is great for your physical health, and fitness goals draw many of us to the mat. Some come to class because the elongating poses complement other activities like running, and some are motivated by the family member who can miraculously touch her toes, or the coworker who’s traded her sweaters for halter dresses since discovering Ashtanga. Yoga is a good workout. But if you’re in it for the “yoga butt,” you might be tempted to tune out all the other stuff, like when your teacher starts going on about the breath.