wellness

As a practicing yogi, I full-heartedly enjoy feeling into every yoga asana (position) from day to day and moment to moment because I know that with every asana I practice, my positive attitude toward mindful alignment offers me an opportunity to reconnect with my body, mind and spirit. As a whole, all yoga positions offer the practitioner re-alignment with their spine, while improving cardiovascular and respiratory health, weight loss and strength building -- granted the asanas are conducted with proper form.

Okay—so I recently started doing jujitsu, and regardless of the challenges I’ve faced—I’m hooked! But why? Jujitsu, also sometimes known as “the gentle art,” is more than just an ancient Japanese grappling style -- it is a life-altering practice that can truly heighten a person physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Read on to find out more about the martial art of Jujitsu, and its benefits for the mind, body, soul and spirit.

I always envision school much different than it actually is. Since Hogwarts does not seem to fit within the modern day limitations, I envision campfires with happy children playing music, cooking dinner, sharing stories, and philosophizing about the riddles of the universe. An environment created where children are comfortable enough to explore the depths of their own thought without the hindrance of unnecessary stress. How is this accomplished? Through embracing and living with Mother Nature.

Up until recently, mangosteen was illegal to import into the United States. When I first moved to the U.S. from Canada, no one understood what I was inquiring after when I asked grocery stores if they carried this superfruit. In Vancouver, British Columbia, where I grew up, mangosteen can be bought at Asian grocers or large markets like the popular Granville Island, where I often bought this delicious fruit for special occasions. Where I first found out about them, in Tahiti, mangosteen is sold like green juice is in the U.S.

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.

Today’s exploration will be through essential oils that work especially well for massage therapy.

Join Basmati.com every week for a Q&A session with one of Basmati’s practitioners, Melissa Hill (FDN-P)! We know that there is a lot of confusing information out there, which can make applying health advice overwhelming.  Sometimes, it’s best to ask a practitioner directly, so each week we’ll cover a common health question!

Black rice has been known as the Forbidden Rice in China for millennia because it was only served to the Emperors. Research done by Judith A. Carney reveals that the grain was imported to the Carolinas in the United States with the slaves who established it as a crop.

Are whey protein supplements safe? From the definitive ‘yes’ from whey supplement manufacturers to the ‘no’ coming from natural nutritionists, let’s explore the good and the bad of it…

Some of us wake up in the morning, ready to go for runs, hit the gym, or do an early morning exercise routine. For others, the afternoons are when we get in some physical activity. Many of us spend a great deal of time on trying to stay physically healthy. While physical fitness should be a priority, staying mentally healthy is equally as important.