Healthy Habit #4: Inversion

About a month or so ago, I purchased an inversion table, and have been spending at least 5-10 minutes every day inverted. So far, I’ve noticed that I’m sleeping better, have more energy and my neck & shoulders (where I hold tension – and suffered a shoulder injury last fall) are feeling great. Another interesting side effect is that I’m fairly certain that the hairs on my head are growing faster…which makes sense (more circulation and blood flow to hair follicles, etc.)

I was so excited to hear from my yoga clients that Good Morning America had a segment this past Friday that included a review of the Teeter Inversion Table (which is the brand that I now share my office with). To see the details, go to: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Springtime/story?id=4721108 It received an A- by the reviewer.

Inverting has a ton of health benefits, and you don’t have to be completely upside-down to enjoy these benefits. Here are just a few:

• Reduces back pain
• Relieves stress
• Improves circulation & lymph flow
• Increases oxygen to the brain
• Reduces the effects of aging (helps you keep your height, decongests internal organs, etc.)

Anyway – I’m loving the inversion table – and working up to being completely upside-down. Right now, I’m hanging at about a 45 degree angle and it feels great…For more information on the brand we purchased and FAQs on inverting, go to: www.teeterhangups.com

Well, better go – time to hang upside down…

Signed,

wellness junkie/inversion convert/yogaxoga girl

Demystified Yoga

So this is a term that is likely new to most folks, except my students and those who have purchased my DVD (thank you!). When I tell people that I teach Demystified Yoga, I usually get one of two reactions. The first is, “Why does yoga need to be demystified?” and the second is a look of confusion: “What’s that?” So I’m taking a moment to explain what is Demystified Yoga and why I’ve felt the need to demystify yoga.

When I first started attending yoga classes, I loved the movements, the breathing, the general feeling of stress and worries begone – but I wasn’t comfortable with the more yoga-esque aspects of the class.  I’ll explain.  When the teacher would only announce poses in Sanskrit, I found myself looking around to the more seasoned students for a clue as to what to do.  Also, the imagery was a bit out there for my taste…I didn’t really want to root my feet into the earth…standing tall, grounded toward my yoga mat would have been just fine. And, as a Christian, I found the philosophies shared/discussed by the teacher not aligned to my beliefs (more on that later).

Now, for quite awhile, I told myself that was ok.  I got so much out of the other elements of yoga, that I would just tune those other things out.  When we chanted some Sanskrit phrase, I’d sit in silence or pray. But after awhile of this, I felt a burning question within me: Why should I have to tune this stuff out? Yoga has so many benefits in the poses, breathing, concentration and meditation – why not extract those things from traditional yoga to create a class where the health benefits can be enjoyed without wondering, tuning out or getting distracting by the more traditional and spiritual aspects.  

 Now I know this is not a popular view. Yoga, in its entirety is very popular, very mainstream. However I must remain true to who I am, trusting there are others out there like me…who are looking for a safe place to relieve stress, stretch hamstrings, strengthen core muscles, improve balance, etc.  Everyone who attends a Demystified Yoga class or buys a DVD knows that this is what they’ll experience.  You don’t need to tune out subliminal messages, wonder what we’re chanting, or feel intimidated because you don’t speak Sanskrit.

So that’s what Demystified Yoga is NOT…here’s what it is….We identify and learn all of the poses by their English names.  We focus on the practical health benefits of the poses and breathing techniques. I’ll often give you tips on how you can do poses at home and throughout your week. We modify poses to fit every body and not just the young, tall, thin and flexible. We end every class in Relaxation time, about 5 minutes of stillness & peace.  

You’ll come away feeling stronger, calmer, clearer – ready for your day ahead. To learn more, go to www.yogaxoga.com.

Enjoy & be well…