Best Antioxidants For Your Hard Earned Dollar

My Yoga Online has posted a new nutrition article by Karla Heintz, Best Antioxidants For Your Hard Earned Dollar. Karla offers some easy and unexpected methods of boosting your antioxidant intake while living on a tight financial budget. This nutrition article also provides a great list of common foods that provide high levels of disease-fighting antioxidants.

With the economy in the position it is in right now, it sometimes is challenging to purchase the best food items in the local grocery store as the cost can be overwhelming. One great way to keep your family healthy is keeping your kitchens stocked with ‘better’ antioxidant choices that will protect ourselves from aging faster than what we should.

CLICK HERE to read full article.

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Balance and Intentional Flow in Yoga

My Yoga Online - I was recently reviewing some Yoga anatomy material by David Keil and was reintroduced to a wonder concept of creating balanced energy and flow in your yoga practice. David presented the common bandha applications of mula and uddiyana in a more generalized concept throughout the entire body. As a reminder, mula means to root and uddiyana means to flow or rise upwards. In our yoga practice, we strive to generate expansion and balance. By looking at your practice in terms of creating both a state of mula and uddiyana, we can establish a constant intention towards balance.

We can see how this is applicable with various points in the body. Let's take the foot, for example. In any standing yoga pose, we wish to ground or root (mula) through the toe mounds and heel. This earthy support allows us to draw energy from ground while bringing stability into the physical and mental state of the pose. In an opposing intention, we also wish to engage the medial (inner) arch of the foot. This mimics the intention of uddiyana-bringing a lifting energy from the base of the body up through the crown of the head. Hence, grounding flow downwards into the earth is reciprocated with an uprising intention. With lines of opposing energies and intentions, a natural expansion forms in the body. This physical expansion then readily transmits back through the nervous system into our mental practice.

Consider this application in the hands in Downward Facing Dog pose. As we establish our hand and arm positions, we encourage a mindful and rooting expansion downwards through the index finger pads and thumb pads. This rooting mula effect balances force loads across the wrist and hand joints. We can also create a subtle lifting energy (uddiyani) into the center of the palm that generates a direct unloading of the carpal tunnel. With the hands now properly aligned and balanced, imagine how this intention of balanced mula and uddiyana can be carried further into the pose. The uddiyana flow in the center of the palm can be welcomed up the arms, into the spine, and right out through the sacrum and sit bones. In opposite direction, the crown of head flows with release and grounding heaviness (mula) with the application of the rooted index and thumb pads. With the head and pelvis traveling in opposite flow, the vertebrae are holistically opened giving life and vitality to the spinal column.

Whether you are standing, sitting, inverted, lying, or balancing, visualize how the intentions of mula and uddiyana can coexist to bring greater integrity and purpose to your yoga practice.

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Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides

My Yoga Online - Check out this great free download that you can conveniently take with you while shopping to help you avoid unwanted pesticides in your food. Get the guide so when you are shopping you will know which produce to buy organic, and which conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are okay if organic is not available or if you are working through a tight budget.

Click Here for the download.

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Organize Your Home for Healthier Living

My Yoga Online is happy to introduce a new article by Ranka Burzan, specialist in organizing, titled: How Organized Is Your Home. This new healthy living article offers great tips in generating positive energy and flow in your home through practical organization.

Have you ever heard this phrase or perhaps you have said it yourself, “I really have to get organized, one of these days”. One of these days may never come. As with everything else in our lives our power is in this present moment. The ancient Chinese proverb, "A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind" rings true for many of us. It has been said that the majority of us lose at least one hour a day looking for the things we need and spend 20 percent of our annual budget buying things we need to replace things we lost.

According to experts, organizing is a very simple and learnable skill. Yet, according to the National Association for Professional Organizers (NAPO), only 25% of the population is organized. The rest of us struggle to some degree with disorganization and clutter in our home and work place.

If organizing is simple and learnable what prevents us from being organized? It is helpful to ask ourselves, is the physical clutter in our home just that: physical? Or perhaps it is closely related to emotional and spiritual clutter; not being able to part with stuff, holding on to memories and relationships that don’t work for us anymore, all prevent us from growing emotionally and spiritually.


CLICK HERE to read full article.

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Is Your Shampoo Toxic?

My Yoga Online has posted a new Green Living article by Michael Bloch, Shampoo and the Planet. What has been considered acceptable by review boards for human usage or consumption offers some serious questions as to the true safety of consumer products.

Shampoos and other body care products often contain vast amounts of chemical agents, that, if were in higher quantities, would be highly toxic. No wonder why so people suffer from allergies and sensitivities. Know what you are putting in and on your body. There are alternatives to standard consumer products that offer the function required without presenting harmful agents into the body and the environment.

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Interview with Our Wellness Expert, Dr. Carla Cupido

My Yoga Online - Dr. Carla Cupido is a contributing author and presenter on My Yoga Online. Dr. Cupido is a chiropractor and specialist in kinesiology (exercise science), and she has provided My Yoga Online with a great interview discussing the field of Yoga and holistic wellness.

As a holistic practitioner, how do you see Yoga as a tool for therapeutic programs like chiropractic?

With the appropriate application, yoga can be used to both prevent and rehabilitate injury. Certain yoga poses can be used to lengthen tight muscles, while others can be used to strengthen weak muscles. Many injuries are due to weak links in the body. Often, people assume that their injuries are due to tight muscles. However, typically weak muscles cause other muscles to compensate for their strength limitations; this leads to injury not only in the assisting muscles, but also in the weak muscles. It also places the joints that these muscles cross at risk for injury. Therefore, although many people believe yoga’s primary therapeutic purpose is to improve flexibility, in regards to injury prevention and rehabilitation, yoga can also be used to improve strength and stability, as well as proprioception (balance). The combination of all of these benefits can aid patients from a therapeutic perspective.

Yoga is a practice that is meant to be understood thoroughly as yoga can cause just as many injuries as it can help prevent or rehabilitate. Therefore, make sure that you comprehend each of the poses you practice and why you are doing them. It is wise to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your body to know how yoga can be used to your advantage. Every person’s yoga practice should be unique as we all have individual strengths and weaknesses that must be considered in every move we make on our mats.

As participation in yoga classes increases, it appears that more attention is on the "science of Yoga", especially in terms of injury prevention. In regards to instruction, what do you feel needs to be made known to the general public in order to make Yoga a life-long, sustainable practice?

Yes, the science of yoga is now receiving more attention; it is great! More research is being done in the medical community on how yoga can be used for injury prevention and rehabilitation. This information is fantastic! Science is what needs to be made known to the public as if yogis understand the anatomy and biomechanics behind each pose, they will be able to perform them safely and enjoy yoga for their lifetime without experiencing yoga related injuries. Yoga can offer you and your body enormous benefits, but benefits are hard to achieve if you do not recognize how to attain them. If you want to practice for the rest of your life, take the time to learn some general anatomy and biomechanics. If you understand the etiology of injuries, you will better be able to continue safely growing on your mat throughout your existence. Yoga offers a lifetime of learning; enjoy the journey towards wisdom.

For someone just starting Yoga, with average fitness experience, what do you recommend?

Start slowly, find an incredibly knowledgeable teacher, and consider being assessed by a manual medical practitioner or sports physician before beginning your practice. The latter will be able to identify areas which should be monitored in your practice for safety as well as recognize weak or tight muscles which require more attention. Despite the gentle nature of yoga, it is a repetitive and sometimes strenuous activity and can cause numerous injuries if not practiced properly. Listen to your body; if it hurts or doesn’t feel good, do not do it.

In general, the hatha yoga practice should originate from the spine outwards. Often, due to Ego, people practice from the limbs inward, trying to place themselves in contortions without appreciation for the possible contraindications acting on the spine. As a specialist in spinal health, how would you encourage yoga practitioners to practice with their primary focus on the spine?

Ego can cause many injuries. Whether reaching all the way to the floor in a forward bend and allowing the curve in your lower back to be lost, or remaining too long in shoulder stand or headstand, you are placing your spine at risk for the benefit of your Ego. It is absolutely essential to understand which movements are safe for the spine and which are hazardous. Large class sizes make it impossible for teachers to work through risky poses with students, or any pose for that matter. If you do not understand a pose or are nervous about trying it, wait until you can work through it independently with your teacher. Yes, this means you will have to sit the pose out in your class, but is that so bad? If you understand the pose, you will be less likely to compromise your spine for the asana’s believed aesthetics.

***
I would like to leave you with an inspiring story. One of my girlfriends is an incredible yogi; she has a background in kinesiology and an amazing amount of strength, stability, and flexibility. She once told me that her most liberating yoga moment was taking child’s pose when she felt her body needed a rest. I will never forget this as it shocked me that such a strong yogi found this to be her most liberating yoga moment! Her knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics kept her safe on her mat and provided her with an experience that was positive instead of negative when she knew her body needed a rest. I hope this impacts you as much as it did me.
Enjoy your practice and have fun asking questions; learning should be an exciting and FUN experience!

Click Here to learn more about Dr. Carla Cupido or visit her website.

Articles by Dr. Carla Cupido:
Addressing Our Scapular Stabilizers
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A Silver Lining to the Financial Crisis

My Yoga Online has posted a new Green Living article by Greg Seaman, A Silver Lining to the Financial Crisis. With the media focusing on delivering endless streams of bad news and negative energy, this article offers a refreshing and uplifting perspective on how the current economic challenges offer opportunity for change economically, environmentally, and socially.



It is all too obvious how difficult the financial crisis is for the average family. But the financial meltdown is an inevitable correction, which will result in a reality-based economic model and a return to healthier personal, family and social values.

As we look ahead to what economic forecasters are calling a protracted recession, it’s quite discouraging and anxiety-provoking. As the scope of the crisis widens by the day, we are seeing the global scale of the problem. The growing interconnectedness of commerce and culture is becoming more apparent. Across the globe, economists, political leaders and people in general have a shared objective – how to best navigate ourselves through this time of transition.

CLICK HERE to read full article.

Yoga Breathing for Health

My Yoga Online - Enjoy our latest Yoga article by Vijai Sharma (PhD, RYT, Yoga Therapist) titled Yoga Breathing for Health: Breathe Slowly, Exhale Fully. Dr Sharma presents sixteen ways to slow breathing and lengthen exhalation. This Yoga article workshop is an excellent exploration for Yoga participants wishing to deepen their physical and mental practice. This article offers inspiring pranayama (breathing exercises) for Yoga teachers to incorporate into their teaching programs.

Almost everyone including people with asthma or COPD (Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Breathing) can benefit from breathing slowly and exhaling more completely. Benefits of slow breathing and longer exhalation are many. To wit: Greater control over breathing; reduction in shortness of breath and breathing discomfort; increase in physical and mental relaxation; relaxed breathing and more open airways which can transport air in and out more effectively.

CLICK HERE to read full article.

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Mercury Fillings - The Enemy Within

My Yoga Online has a new article by Joan Ullyett BA, RHN, Mercury Fillings-The Enemy Within. This healthy living article looks at the history of mercury filling in the dentistry industry and addresses the potential issues for those who have or considering to have mercury fillings.



At some point in our lives, usually starting in childhood, many of us developed cavities in our teeth that needed to be filled. As children we naturally trusted that our parents knew best when they sent us to the dentist to have our cavities taken care of, and our parents in turn trusted that the dentist was doing what was right and necessary to maintain our dental health. The fact that the fillings, known as mercury amalgam, were comprised of 50% mercury, a potent neurotoxin, never seemed to be an issue.

The fillings were safe, inquiring parents were told, in their amalgam state, that is combined with copper, tin and silver. Curiously, a poison when outside our mouths, so much so that the dentist would not even touch the amalgam with his or her own gloved hands and disposed of it as hazardous waste, yet completely safe and virtually inert when in our mouths. Or so we were told…

CLICK HERE to read full article.

Other Articles by Joan Ullyet:
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Detoxification - Modern Knowledge And Ancient Wisdom

My Yoga Online has posted a new healthy living article by Dr. Danny Jui, ND, Detoxification: Modern Knowledge and Ancient Wisdom. Dr. Jui presents the concept of detoxification from the viewpoint of Chinese medicine and philosophy.



Detoxification is any process that decreases the negative impact of chemicals or molecules on the body, involving biotransformation of these toxic substances into excretable forms. Although this process has been a focus of recent scientific research, the idea of detoxification, however, parallels with the idea of proper flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Five Elements constitute the basis of Chinese medical theory on the idea of proper flow or biotransformation among all collaborative organs to ensure optimal health. The five elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Five Elements and their relation to detoxification.

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Greening Your Computer Use

My Yoga Online has posted a new Green Living article by Michael Bloch, Greening Your Computer Use. Michael reviews some simple and practical ways for computers to reduce their carbon foot print as well as save money.







Computing has changed the world-a great example is the Internet. It is hard to imagine either not existing. While computer usage can actually lessen our environmental footprint, for example, being able to work from home or control of farm irrigation and many other tasks, the energy consumption involved with casual computing and gaming generally is massive.



There's not just the actual computer usage related electricity consumption, there's also all the millions of tons of plastic and metal used to create the billions of computers in their various forms now on this planet.



We can all do our bit in lessening our impact and the following are tips for more earth friendly computing, some of which will also save you cash!



CLICK HERE to read full article and to learn more.



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Loving Without Attachment to the Ego

My Yoga Online - The practice of non-attachment is an important element to attaining inner freedom. A primary practice of non-attachment is applying this to relationships. Alexandra Goldwell presents her insight, Loving Without Attachment to the Ego, by addressing how to approach love, relationships, and attachment as well as 5 tips for how to love fully without attachment to the Ego.

This is a nice idea, certainly one encouraged by the yogic philosphy, yet we may not have an idea of what it really involves. As a therapist and yoga teacher, it has been rare to come across people who are interested in letting go of attachment to the ego. In a way, we enjoy the stories and dramas created by ego, and then other days, (when you have acted out the same patterned behavior for the millionth time), we hate it!

If you ask inside, "Do I really want to love without ego?", and YES! comes from inside your being, (not from the head), then go for it. If it is your heart's desire to love and experience relationship in this way, you must follow it! Otherwise, feel free to stay in ego love, watch it, and enjoy it. Practice observation of the projections of love, i.e. loving the projected mother or father, or loving the reflection of your perfect self or most hated self. There are lots of themes of ego love that can be quite dramatic, engaging, and chaotic. These games can serve as opportunities to learn a great deal about oneself. Enjoy the opportunity.

CLICK HERE to read full article.

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Carpal Tunnel and Yoga

My Yoga Online - Dr. Carla Cupido has posted a new Yoga Anatomy article, Carpal Tunnel and Yoga, on My Yoga Online. Dr. Cupido looks at the important aspect of preventing the development of chronic carpal tunnel conditions due to one's Yoga practice and daily activities.

Knowing where your carpal tunnel is and its function is important for those doing yoga and for those with occupations requiring repetitive loading of the hands and forearms. Without this knowledge, you may be causing damage to this important canal without realizing it. Many people can recognize the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, but identifying the risk factors is much more valuable. In order to do this, you must understand what the carpal tunnel is and what its function is.

CLICK HERE to read full article.

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