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.

Yoga Goddess Pose - SO Relaxing!

Try this when stressed! It's amazing!!

Do it for at least 10 minutes for the maximum benefits of de-stressing:

GODDESS POSE
Sit tall with knees bent forward and your lower back against the short end of a firm cushion or a couple of stacked, folded blankets. Let knees drop open to the sides; bring soles of feet together. Lie back so back and head are on the cushion/blankets, shoulders dropping toward the floor. Bring arms out to the sides, palms up. Relax, breathing deeply and evenly. If hips feel uncomfortable, straighten legs.

-- from Health Magazine, July/August 2010

Start Your Day in the Best Way!

As we head into the weekend I thought this would be a good article to share:

(from "Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers Inc." http://www.fibroandfatigue.com)

Your Mornings…StartYour Day the Best Way Possible!

Rather than awake refreshed from a nights’ sleep, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue sufferers frequently feel exhausted in the morning. Sleep studies of Fibromyalgia and Fatigue patients show a consistent pattern of disruption during the delta “deep sleep stage.” Because your deep sleep is often disrupted, it minimizes the time your body has to rest, repair and rebuild leading to ongoing fatigue and discomfort.

Here are more suggestions to get you moving in the morning:

    1.    Starting your day with a positive attitude, remind yourself that you will control the pace of your day.

    2.    You now need to begin to loosen those muscles. Hopefully, the bed and room temperature are at a comfortable level allowing you to slowly remove some of your bed linen without causing your body to tense or cramp.

    3.    Stretching exercises while lying in bed will loosen and warm muscle fibers to avoid strain upon rising. Take as much time as you need to work from your neck down in a slow, consistent manner. Avoid any quick movements and never stretch to a point of pain. The muscles may feel tight or stiff, but with repetitive movement, stretching and relaxing, you should feel them loosen.

    4.    If you don’t already know your shower intimately, you should! A hot shower upon rising is a terrific way to treat your body and prepare it for the day ahead. Not only will the heat penetrate your muscles, but also the calming effect of the running water is great for mental relaxation. If someone is available, ask him or her to turn the shower on for you before you even get out of bed.

    5.    Continue your stretching while in the shower. You should see a noticeable difference in your movements while under the hot water.

    6.    Don’t forget to jump start your day with a nutritious breakfast and consumption of your Vitamin and Mineral Supplements. The morning is the most effective time for absorption and for you to gain the greatest benefit with this consistent morning boost.

Remember; give yourself plenty of time in the morning. It’s up to you to decide if it’s going to be the worse time of your day or the absolute best time for you to take care of YOU!

Yoga Moves for the Office

These are great. I work in an office and always feel like I need to stretch. I found this link and have it bookmarked at work, it has some really great moves that I can do in mini-breaks all throughout the day. Ok, I probably won't do all of them (the hug my chair one looks nice, but I am not going to get on the floor at work) but most are pretty good. So stretch from my chair, or while waiting for my coffee standing in the kitchen etc. :) You can actually do them anywhere, does not have to be at work. Would work nice at home or on vacations etc. too :)

http://www.lhj.com/health/fitness/yoga-at-your-desk/?page=1

DVD - Yoga for Healing - Sarah Bates

Thank you Brenda for sharing the info!

Yoga and Fibro - My Favorite Topic :)

My yogini has shared:

Yoga is great for fibromyalgia (well its really a lifestyle!).  It helps restore muscles to their normal length. When in pain muscles retract/ contract... yoga helps stretching them. 

I think this is an interesting article http://www.yogajournal.com/health/2589 and of course you can go to www.yogajournal.com where there are 91 related articles. :)

Taking consciousness of pain and doing your corps pose and meditations should help with calming discomforts in the physical body.

Namaste

Meditation, Exercise and Easing Fibromylagia

This is a great article, I have done yoga and I enjoy both the gentle stretching as well as the meditation sessions. Is very peaceful and calming and a good way for me to regain my focuses. EXCELLENT for keeping my fibro in check.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/pain-management/fibromyalgia/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100210449&page=1

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88494.php