IT'S ALL IN THE BREATH

The breath is free and it's the key to reducing stress
Treat yourself to 5-10 minutes proper breathing every day
& reap the benefits!

 

 It's not just about remembering to breathe, it's about breathing properly. Yoga breathing has been proven to positively effect your emotions calming your stressed out body and mind.

During times of stress our cortisol levels raise, we switch on to 'fight or flight' mode. Energy is directed away form our mind to our major muscles ready to 'fight or take flight', making problem solving very difficult creating even more stress. You may or indeed you may not know that Cortisol actually kills brain cells, but you will be pleased to know there is a simple treatment and what's more it's free! The way to lower stress reducing the levels of cortisol in your body is to BREATHE, to really breathe. Set aside 5 - 10 minutes for yourself everyday and follow these simple instructions;

• Sit or lie comfortably

• Close your eyes

• Keep the spine long

• Focus on breathing

• Watch your breath with your minds eye as it enters and leaves your body

• Breathe deeply into the belly, expand the belly and breathe all the way up to the shoulders

• Breathe out letting the chest fall and then gently bring the belly back towards the spine

• Release the belly and repeat (breathe deeply into the belly, etc...
  
• Notice how much calmer you have become.
  
  This breathing will bring clarity to your mind, lower your stress levels reduce the levels of Cortisol and increase the levels of Prolactin. Prolactin improves your ability to learn encouraging Beta brainwaves. Your alertness is improved bringing clarity to think.
  
  This careful attention to breathing has also been scientifically proven to relieve anxiety, lower cholesterol, reduce symptoms of depression, improve your immune system and general well being. Practicing for 5-10 minutes a day and during times of stress can bring big changes for you and your ability to cope in stressful situations.
  
  One point I would like to add is if you have been breathing badly for some time you can experience a feeling of being light headed as a result of taking control of your breath, DO NOT worry this is simply because you are receiving more oxygen than you are used to and the feeling will pass.
  
  For further info watch this somewhat cheesy yet informative video;
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4S_4jX0ERA&feature=youtu.be
  Courtesy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga
  
  

  
  

Yoga & Meditation for PTSD

Research is discovering that
to calm the mind from trauma
you must reconnect with the body

"Unless you befriend your body you cannot become well" 

Professor of Psychiatry Bessel Van der Kalk

Yoga & Meditation for PTSD, Hakone, Japan 2012

Yoga

According to studies in America Yoga is proving more effective than group therapy sessions for treating the symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Yoga offers the opportunity for victims of trauma to reconnect to their bodies and encourages relaxation. The skills learnt within a Yoga session can give you a portable toolkit to use in your daily life to help maintain calmness within helping to control sensations such as panic. Incredible findings have shown that regular practice can improve your Heart Rate Value this means you have a greater ability to calm yourself when faced with unsettling situations encouraging peace of mind.

Meditation

There is a specific type of meditation for PTSD sufferers called iRest (Integrated Restoration). Studies of veterans in America using this technique have found positive results. Regular practice of meditation through Yoga Nidra (Yoga Sleep) and breathing techniques has proven successful in creating a welcomed sense of self care and inner peace for victims of trauma offering relief from anxiety.

Ref:

'Healing Life's Trauma' http://www.yogajournal.com/health/2532

'Integrated Restoration' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDBnUsGgIcs

Meditation on the approach to Life

Meditate on this thought it will make you smile inside;

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they make the best of everything" :)

3.32 minutes of wisdom...



http://www.yourspiritualsuccess.com/another-quality-video-youll-love-this/?goback=.gde_42210_member_188425683

Courtesy of 'Your Spiritual Success'

Banish Beige Food!

You Are What You Eat All Year Round

Taste The Rainbow...

It's easy in the summer to get a good range of vitamins into your diet. As the nights come earlier and the temperature gets cooler you need to make more of an effort to eat a rainbow of colours on your plate ensuring you are getting a complete range of nutrients.

Top up on your vitamin D intake with plenty of fresh air getting outside even on a dull day for 20 minutes is really important for your health and well being as is eating plenty of eggs.

Be sure to boost your immune system and ward off those germs with plenty of onions and garlic too.

If you're in a rush it couldn't be simpler there's nothing better than a quick stir fry to tick all these boxes. Shitake mushrooms are full of protein too helping you stay fuller for longer and keeping your energy levels steady too. Enjoy!

50% of the population has suffered Trauma, Yoga has been proven to help recovery

"Have faith in Yoga because it is always there for you"

For those who are unaware I was fighting fit, tweaking my class plans and ready to start offering Aqua Yoga Classes & Sun Power Yoga Classes in Shropshire once again this autumn.

However recently I was the unfortunate victim of an RTC whilst cycling home requiring time in hospital and emergency surgery. I am on the road to recovery and have been campaigning for safer roads for cyclists through local and social media with positive results.

I do not as yet have a time span for recovery but rest assured I hope to keep improving and plan to be sharing the benefits of Yoga with you again in 2013.

I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten you and would like to thank those who have been in touch regarding my welfare since the RTC, most kind and very appreciated I can assure you.

YOGA & TRAUMA

If you know someone who has suffered trauma in there lives or indeed have done so your self I can empathise with the lack of connection this creates to your own body. I encourage you to use Yoga as part of the healing process, bringing that lost connection back...

For more information please watch and share these 2 short clips;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhEDp0b8Uws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=f_mBp5p6h2M

Top Tips For A Healthy Winter

BEAT THOSE WINTER BLUES

1.   Boost your Vitamin C, D & Zinc intake eating all the colours of the rainbow
2.   Don't forget to wash your hands regularly & thoroughly
3.   Keep hydrated with plenty of water and herbal teas
4.   Maintain regular Yoga practice paying special attention to warming up first
5.   Get outdoors. Even on a dull day it's important to spend at least 15 minutes outside
6.   Layer up so you are prepared for all the temperatures our climate can offer us
7.   Meditate at the same time each day to maintain inner awareness
8.   Go easy on the alcohol it takes the body 1 hr per unit to break down, it's packed with calories too!
9.   Treat yourself to an enriched moisturiser to protect your skin
10. Sleep well to rejuvenate & boost your immune system

The power of Yoga

It's all in the art of balance...Yoga 'helps stroke patients recover balance'

A recent article featured in the Telegraph, follow the link to read this inspiring research giving new hope to those who have suffered a stroke;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9430292/Yoga-helps-stroke-patients-recover-balance.html

 Om Namaste