40 Ways Yoga Heals

Yoga is part of an overall lifestyle that promotes wellness and a wicked toned and shaped body!  Yoga just isn't about aesthetics, there are numerous internal ways yoga promotes health.   Check out 40 ways yoga heals (you'll want to add yoga into your lifestyle) from Yoga as Medicine:

1. Increases flexibility
2. Strengthens Muscles
3. Improves Balance (we lose balance as we age, but you can get it back!)
4. Improves Immune Function
5. Improves Posture (decreases risk of lordosis/kyphosis)
6. Improves Lung Function
7. Leads to Slower and Deeper Breathing
8. Discourages Mouth Breathing
9. Increases Oxygenation of Tissues
10. Improves Joint Health (increases synovial fluid)
11. Nourishes Intervertebral Disks
12. Improves Return of Venous Blood
13. Increases Circulation of Lymph (detoxifies the body)
14. Improves Function of the Feet
15. Improves Proprioception
16. Increases Control of Bodily Functions (increases efficiency of the organs)
17. Strengthen Bones (reduces risk of osteoporosis)
18. Conditions the Cardiovascular System
19. Promotes Weight Loss (promotes mindfulness of what you are eating)
20. Relaxes the Nervous System (key to weight loss)
21. Improves the Function of the Nervous System
22. Improves Brain Function
23. Activates the Left Prefrontal Cortex
24. Changes Neurotransmitter Levels
25. Lowers Levels of the Stress Hormone Cortisol (key to weight loss)
26. Lowers Blood Sugar
27. Lowers Blood Pressure
28. Improves Levels of Cholesterol land Triglycerides
29. Thins the Blood
30. Improves Bowel Function (key to a healthier digestive system)
31. Releases Unconscious Muscular Gripping
32. Uses Imagery to Effect Change in the Body
33. Relieves Pain
34. Lowers Need for Medication (drug-free medicine in a bottle, no co-pay req'd!)
35. Fosters Healing Relationships
36. Improves Psychological Health
37. Leads to Healthier Habits (promotes healthier eating/lifestyle)
38. Fosters Spiritual Growth
39. Elicits the Placebo Effect
40. Encourages Involvement in Your Own Healing

Crazy Sexy Diet

Hungry for info that will give you more clean organic energy, slow down the aging process, improve your immune system, improve digestion to help eliminate bloating, constipation, etc...etc.  This info and so much more can be found in the book Crazy Sexy Diet written by Kris Carr.  This is truly not a "diet" because you can't live your life on a diet.  This is about eating a low-fat, low-glycemic, vegetarian style program that emphasizes balancing the PH of the body with delicious whole foods, nourishing organic green drinks and smoothies.  This book is witty, fun, down-to-earth, easy to understand and written by a women who has slowed down her cancer by eating whole foods, practicing yoga/meditation and changing her lifestyle for a healthier mind and body.
A few highlights from the book worth mentioning, but maybe not new to some people who already follow a plant-based/whole foods type diet:

• Ingesting bad foods and toxins creates congestion in the digestion--and that's just the beginning of your problems.
• A daily onslaught of bad eating habits creates excess mucus and problems like constipation.
• Eating a plant-based diet, with an emphasis on raw foods, assists our bodies in maintaining an alkaline environment.  The more oxygen we get in our food, the more health we experience.  Excessively acidic food creates an unhealthy cellular environment, which increases the chance of mutations.
• Get the sugar out, too much (and not even that much) of this habit-forming substance wreaks havoc on your blood sugar levels, mood and weight.  That goes for the artificial stuff too.
• Not all carbs are bad, your body needs good carbs (your main source of fuel).  Simple carbs like white bread, pasta, pastries are basically sugar in disguise.

So if you are looking to become healthier, maybe not going all vegetarian, but want some great tips and recipes, use this book as a guide, as healthy foods will end up being your prescription in a bottle!

Pilates Reformer Workout

If you are an avid exerciser, you know at times it can get boring.  Personally, I look at different options for changing up my exercise routine.  Helps to eliminate boredom as I know I can not do without exercise, not optional for me.  Last summer was my bootcamp adventure, by no means was this easy, a very physical aggressive workout each time.  This time, I thought it would be great to get a variety of exercises to promote a stronger core, shock my muscles so I can become stronger and leaner.  I contacted Maggie (the owner) of Personal Euphoria.  I had a phenomenal one-on-one session this morning.  I did not know what to expect.  We worked for 50-minutes on the reformer.  A piece of pilates equipment with many levels of resistance.  She had me warm up first with some gentle stretches, then went into several core exercises using resistance.  I have to say it was very challenging, though I love a challenge.  I was shaking and at times forgot to breathe!  The best part, a bit of cardio at the end with a variety of jumping drills!  Absolutely my favorite part!  I did arrive to the session with lower back pain, but when the session was over, I felt great, my total body was stretched, open and pain free! 
I will be back next Monday working on the reformer again, a complement to my current workout routine, that should definitely give me what I am looking for!

The New Love of My Life

Over the last several weeks, I've really put a lot of attention into my diet.  I have focused in on adding more raw foods to my diet.  The new love of my life has allowed this to happen, we have a lot a common, get along well and are a great match.  I'll come clean (no pun intented), I am in love with the Breville Juicer!  Gotcha, no gossip here! 
I've been juicing just about everything (i.e., kale, parsley, carrots, apples, oranges, etc).  I have to admit, I normally never drink OJ or any other juices because of the high calorie count and sugar count. I personally rather eat my calories than drink them (ok, wine excluded, I am only human).    I could not wait to juice oranges, what an experience!  The flavor is fresh, organic, truly does taste like oranges and absolutely no match for the artificial store bought brands!
It is the simple things in life that can add quality to a healthier lifestyle!