Ayurveda teaches us that we are all made up of the same Five Great Elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air/Wind, and Space. All of Creation is made up of infinitely variable combinations of these Elements, including Time, and each aspect of Creation interacts with other aspects to create even more combinations and effects. Some of these effects are beneficial but others are not; do we have the knowledge to adjust our diet, lifestyle, and exercise routines to balance these deleterious effects?
If you know you tend to gain weight over the winter months, Fall season is a good time prepare so you can avoid the sugar cravings and even the depression that can grow in the dark of Winter. Focus on eating as much fresh produce as you can, cooking lightly and using flavorful spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, black pepper, ginger, and any other herbs and spices you like (the more variety in your spices, the more subtle the flavors, so play with your food!). Use a little ghee, sesame oil, or coconut oil to help bind the flavors together and to help give your body the ability to hold onto moisture. Remember that healthy fats are not your enemy and they won't make you fat, they make your food taste good and help you feel fuller sooner as well as provide LOTS of slow burning fuel that will keep your blood sugar from spiking and then falling (the way lots of sugar does). If you do use some sugar in your food favor raw unprocessed sugars over highly refined (and nutrient depleted) white sugar, or add a little raw honey sparingly. You can try using blackstrap molasses as a sweetener for your morning oatmeal for its trace minerals. For more information about how Ayurveda can help you manage your weight go to this link: http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/health-guides/weight-management-guide If you feel you need individualized personal attention request an appointment and we will together design a program that will fit you like a well designed glove!
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Scoliosis often begins in adolescence but can also occur later in life due to chronic habits that cause a deformation of the spinal column; women who carry their small child on the same hip or their purse on the same shoulder can create a "functional scoliosis" that causes chronic back, shoulder, and neck pain but is easily treatable by first becoming aware of the various causes and then working to balance the posture by lengthening the concave side and strengthening the convex side of the main curvature. A new study by Loren Fishman et al (to be published in September, the abstract is available now)) studied 25 individuals of various ages over a period of time as they practiced a single yoga pose, the side plank, to one side. Those who were best at practicing often and regularly achieved the greatest reduction in their primary curvature but all saw some reduction.
Why does this matter? Previously, the only treatment options were wearing a brace for most of the day, surgery to make the spine straight, or nothing. Bracing is highly effective but can be uncomfortable; best results are seen when specific exercises are practiced with the bracing. Surgery does straighten the spine and keeps it straight but since the underlying cause of the postural imbalance remains unaddressed there can still be pain as full movements of the spine are no longer available. Doing nothing might result in the curvature becoming worse over time; severe curves compress the organs and can cause serious side effects that shorten the lifespan and significantly reduce quality of life. You don't need an official diagnosis to learn more - if you have noticed that your back has a lateral curve, or you feel pain on one side of your back that you haven't been able to reduce with medication you may benefit by attending my upcoming workshop on Yoga for Scoliosis at Haven on the Lake in Columbia - a two hour introduction to simple breathing techniques and movement tweaks to help you learn to balance your posture: Oct 10, 2015 from 1:30-3:30pm Member $40 Non-Member $50 Yoga helps stretch muscles that have tightened and strengthen muscles that have become weak from scoliosis. The result for most people is better posture and less pain. This workshop will teach yoga modifications and targeted breathwork that specifically target the challenges of scoliosis and assymmetric low back pain. . Call Haven on the Lake directly at 410-715-3020 to register. |