Yoga and Fibromylagia

Yoga has been a HUGE helper for me with keeping my fibro pains under control. I don;t think it was a coincidence that the same year I was diagnosed with fibro (Oct) I also had a New Year's resolution to try yoga (Jan) -- and I loved it from the start, so it was natural to keep in going once diagnosed. Here is a slideshow on WHY yoga helps with the pains:

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/cf/slideshows/why-yoga-may-soothe-many-types-of-chronic-pain/strengthen-your-breathing-pattern?ic=8831

Cool Breathing for Your Hot Summer

This really works!

I found it on about.com: http://yoga.about.com/od/breathing/a/shitali.htm?nl=1

This breath cools the body so it is best done in hot weather or at the end of a vigorous yoga session.

1. Come to sit in a comfortable cross-legged position.

2. Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose to prepare.

3. Roll the tongue, curling the sides in towards the center to form a tube. Stick the end of the tongue out between your pursed lips. If you can’t roll your tongue, just purse the lips making a small “o” shape with the mouth.

4. Inhale through the tube of the tongue.

5. Exhale through the nose.

6. Repeat 5-10 times as you feel the cooling effect.

Improve Your Sleep

Soaking in a hot bath before bed can help you transition into a deeper, more restful sleep, a study at Loughborough University found. This bedtime ritual, inspired by the super-luxe Indochine Indulgence treatment from La Costa Resort and Spa in California (LaCosta.com) will help you get your zzz's.

Here is your shopping list:

- 3/4 cup sea salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup whole dry milk
- a lavender-based body oil



STEP 1
Whip up a sea-salt scrub by mixing 3/4 cup fine sea salt, 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup olive oil; set aside.

STEP 2
Draw a hot bath, adding 1/4 cup dry whole milk to the running water. Step in and soak for about 10 minutes.

STEP 3
At the end of the bath, scoop up a handful of your homemade salts and use them to exfoliate your elbows, knees and other rough spots.

STEP 4
Before wrapping up in a towel, cool down by rubbing on a lavender-based body oil. As your body temperature drops, your blood pressure lowers, signaling to your body that it's time for sleep.

ENJOY & RELAX!

Reduce Anxiety - Soothe with Water

Zen Buddhist monks have incorporated water features into their meditative garden for hundreds of years because of their soothing sounds. And studies have shown that listening to nature - particularly running water and waves - helps reduce anxiety. Feeling stressed? Place a tabletop fountain at your desk or bedside or download the sounds of the surf at NatureMusicDownload.com

- from Health.com July/August 2010