A New Form Of Therapy
Bucks County Herald - July 19th, 2012
Most people are familiar with Psychotherapy (talk therapy) and Physical Therapy, but did you know of Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy is an emerging field with ancient roots. Bridging psychotherapy and physical therapy, yoga’s tools and philosophy are combined with modern mind / body medicine. It complements western medicine, helping patients avoid unnecessary surgery, medication, and suffering.
Yoga develops and builds positive thoughts, choices and behaviors. Yoga therapy draws on one’s own resources to improve health through heightened self awareness. This approach treats the whole person by addressing the body, mind, and lifestyle. A client may come complaining about back pain and discover it is a result of dissatisfaction at work, poor posture while sat at the computer & shallow breathing. Working one on one, the therapist customizes yoga postures, breathing techniques & sometimes positive imagery or meditation for each client. Together they build a home practice of yoga, diet & relaxation.
This technique is especially effective in dealing with chronic diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, autoimmune, and joint disease, Parkinson’s, diabetes & other dietary issues, prenatal care, hormone imbalance, anxiety & depression, and overall pain & stress management. There is copious research supporting the benefits of yoga: stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system which counteracts stress hormones, realigns and balances the physical body and brings clarity to daily life.
Who can benefit from yoga therapy?
Yoga therapy is a comprehensive lifestyle education, particularly well-suited to contemporary stress-related illnesses. It also provides tools and techniques to deal with myriad back problems, muscle imbalance and injury.
ADDING YOGA INTO YOUR LIFE IS A GREAT WAY TO BUILD A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM THIS WINTER
DOYLESTOWN LIFE - April, 2014
It is common knowledge that yoga makes us stronger and more flexible … but did you know it can also help you stay healthy during the cold winter months.
Winter is upon us & hopefully thus far, you have avoided the flu or succumbed to a cold or bronchitis. And even if you have, there are many yoga practices that can boost and support your immune system through the remainder of the winter. And often it is the changing of seasons when we are most vulnerable. With a bit of luck, spring will be here soon.
There are specific yoga practices that help cleanse your body and release toxins, germs and infections.
One of the main ways yoga helps build resistance to germs & viruses is by stimulating the Lymphatic system. This network is auxiliary to the circulatory system. It carries a clear fluid called lymph that moves through the body picking up bacteria and viruses and filtering them out via the lymph nodes. Unlike blood, which is moved by the pumping of the heart, lymph fluid moves only by muscular contractions. Physical movement is essential for keeping lymph flowing. There are specific yoga postures and flowing movements that cleanse the body and help release toxins, germs and infections. Angel Wings Flow, Balasana (Childs pose) & Danurasana (Bow) each target particular lymph nodes, which are packed with immunity cells.
Lymph circulation is also affected by gravity. Yoga is one of the few practices that systematically take you upside-down into ‘inversions.’ When your head is below your heart—for example, in Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) and Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand)— lymph moves into the respiratory organs, which are especially vulnerable to germs entering the body. When you return to an upright position, gravity drains the lymph, sending it through your lymph nodes for cleansing.
There are specific yoga postures that stimulate the organs and glands that protect us from germs.The Thymus is the main gland of the immune system. Located behind the sternum and in front of the heart, it produces ‘T cells’ necessary to fight germs and infection. Ustrasana (Camel) and Matsyandrasana (Fish) are both postures that open the chest and activate the thymus. Additionally Pranayama (yogic breathing) internally massages the thymus while certain Mudras (hand positions & movements) massage externally. Yoga is an accessible and effective way to reduce stress and anxiety.
When people feel stressed, rundown or fatigued, they are more susceptible to catching colds or getting a sore throat. It is medically proven that Stress compromises the immune system. There is also ample evidence that yogic breathing practices, and restorative poses activate the Vagus Nerve (connecting the stomach to the brain) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System signaling people to calm down, rest & digest. Meditation also activates the pineal gland that help us sleep and parts of the brain that stimulate recovery from illness and trauma.
When I first moved to Philadelphia from southern California, I got sick for six consecutive winters. My seventh year, I started a regular yoga practice. I was not until years later that I realized it was no coincidence that I stayed healthy all winter long.
FIRE CIDER
is a traditional cold remedy with deep roots in folk medicine. The tasty combination of vinegar infused with powerful immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, decongestant, and spicy circulatory movers makes this recipe especially pleasant and easy to incorporate into your daily diet to help boost the immune system, stimulate digestion, and get you nice and warmed up on cold days.
I Make this in big batches and put it into several 1 quart jars. I grate enough of ginger, garlic, Horseradish and tumeric to fill about 1/3 of the jar. Add the other ingredients and fill to the top with cider. make sure the mixture does not come into contact with the metal lid by pacing wax paper in between. Store in a cool dark place for 6 weeks. Traditionally it was buried in the earth or kept in the root cellar.
I take 1 tbs a day as a tonic all winter long. Try mixing it in to a broth or drink with honey I
Ingredients
fresh grated organic ginger root
fresh grated organic horseradish root
lots of organic garlic,
crushed or chopped jalapeno & black peppers
organic dried & fresh lemon
fresh rosemary
tumeric
organic apple cider vinegarraw
local honey to taste
*feel free to add other peppers or herbs
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