wellness

Mind-body exercises intended to harmonize the body have been trending in our culture for years now. Yoga poses elegantly shared on our Instagram and Facebook and other social media sites picture long-limbed profiles of our friends mid-stretch with hands and toes reached out to emphasize the beautiful lines and symmetry of their practiced bodies. The pictures we share may seem vain at times; however, the positive value of these poses reflects a conscious effort toward balanced symmetry, flexibility and total alignment of the body as part of a lifestyle toward holistic health.

Trying Yoga? Know The Types

If you’re finally heading towards yoga, and that is a good thing indeed, you might find yourself confused by which yoga to do. For there are many different kinds of yoga, being taught by, and for, different kinds of people…

Mother Nature literally provides us with everything we need, in every aspect. This first aid kit is made from simple plants or plant products that are easy to come by and well-known.

These 7 items I am going to discuss are the very basic components of Mother Nature’s First Aid Kit. It’s possible you have all of these items in your kitchen or growing out in your yard already. That’s right, the very weeds along your sidewalk could be benefiting you in a big way!

Kale is a member of the species Brassica oleracea, which includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower and broccoli. It has been cultivated for more than 2000 years and though originally found wild in the Mediterranean region it is a cold climate tolerant plant. The term kale is derived from the Scottish word “kail” and the word was used in the 19^th Century, referring to dinner.

Too much of a good thing is bad and the same stands true for exercise also. Here are some signs your body gives, telling you to stop working out and ease off a bit…

Virabhadrasana l / Warrior one

Benefits:

Strengthening.

Stretches the quads.

Great preparation for backbends.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Feet: The front foot is pointing towards the top of your mat. The back heel is turned in enough to get your heel down.

Weight is balanced.

Back leg is straight, emphasizes inner rotation.

Front leg is in line with second toe and over the heel. Thigh is parallel to the earth.

Cat / Cow

Benefits:

Establishes an even and conscious breathing pattern.

Loosens spine and shoulders.

Helpful way to see the curves in your spine.

Learning to arch the upper back.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Hands are shoulder width apart, below the shoulders.

Knees are beneath hips or slightly back.

Arch the sitting bones while you inhale.

Tailbone descends with exhale.

You can also hold for more than one breath in either pose.

There is just something about the great outdoors that makes us feel alive. The fresh air, flowing water, and life everywhere.

There is so much more to Mother Earth’s medicine than just the plants provided. If I were a doctor I would fill out prescriptions for camping trips and outdoor events. Two of the most important things doctors will tell you is to get a lot of fresh air and to drink plenty of water, but that’s simply the beginning of it. The healing goes as deep as a tree’s roots travel and flows much like a steady river.

Chia is a species of the sage plant which produces pods filled with tiny seeds. It is a New World plant that has long been used by the Native Peoples of Central America, northern South America and southwestern North America. The term chia is the Aztec word for strength. When soaked in water, it changes into a gelatin-like consistency that was used to make refreshing drinks and porridges. The Aztecs also dried and ground the seeds to make flour for baking breads. They sprouted the seeds for salads and sprinkled them on many dishes and stored the seeds for future use.

Baddha Konasana / Bound Angle

Benefits:

Opens hips, puriformis, gluteus maximus, and groins.

Can also be useful for relieving sciatic pain.

Great for relieving menstrual discomfort, constipation, and prostate disorders.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Feet are active.

Pelvis is in a neutral position.

Torso lengthens evenly.

Neck and head should reflect the natural curves of the spine.