Yoga Myths

BY BRENDA BLANCO

1. You have to be flexible to do yoga. 

If you aren't flexible now, imagine yourself in 10, 20, or 30 years? Start practicing now so you CAN be flexible.Yoga requires a combination of strength, balance, and flexibility. Everyone has at least one of these in their favor and you can use that to help you improve the other areas of your practice.

2. Men don't do yoga. 

Yoga was started by men and practiced exclusively by men thousands of years ago. Plus, the popularity of yoga among men is growing today. The ratio of men to women in my classes has grown from 1:10 to 1:2 in the past few years.

3. Yoga is too expensive.

Most yoga studios offer introductory specials for new students. Plus, there are many affordable online yoga services available and free youTube classes.

4. Yoga is a religion.

Yoga is built on spirituality and the promotion of being kind and compassionate towards yourself and others. It is not a religion and does not judge religions. It is accepting of all religion.

5. Yoga is not a workout. 

There are many types of yoga. For those who want a more vigorous experience, try a power or ashtanga class. This class will get your heart rate up, build strength, and burn calories.

6. Yoga is just for 20-somethings.  

My teacher Dharma Mittra just turned 74 years old and can still do headstand without his hands! (Not to mention other challenging poses...) If you have physical limitations, try a gentle yoga class or other class specific to your condition. Another option is a private classes to establish a routine you can do on your own.

7. Yoga's too much of a time-commitment. 

Any practice of yoga will benefit you. Even a 10-minute routine first thing in the morning at home will strengthen your body and mind.

8. Yoga's only for people who are fit and thin.

A yoga class is a place of non judgement. Everyone is there to better themselves physically and mentally. Take a beginner's class or workshop and ease yourself into regular classes. Depending on your intention, yoga can help you attain a healthier weight or allow you to love and accept yourself as you are.

9. There is only one type of yoga.

Vinyasa is the most popular type of yoga right now and involves using your breath with movement. Hatha yoga is slower with more static postures. Power yoga is more strengthening and cardiovascular. Hot yoga adds heat for an extra challenge. These are just a sampling of the many available styles today. Try each type of available classes near you and see what works best for you.

10. Yoga is not for people with injuries or chronic pain.

This is the reason why you should practice yoga. Speak to your teacher before class about your special conditions so they can give you modifications and keep an eye on you. Yoga is healing and can help you with your pain relief.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10070/top-10-myths-about-yoga.html

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage

 By Jill Lee

Hot stone massage is a natural therapy in which warmed stones are positioned on parts of the client's body of to maximize the therapeutic benefit. The stones used are typically river rocks or other very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. These stones are heated in sanitizing water before use. The high iron content in basalt helps the stones retain heat during the massage. Hot stone massages are beneficial on both physical and psychological levels. Always check with your doctor before getting a hot stone massage; individuals with certain conditions--including pregnant women and people with high blood pressure--are advised to avoid this type of therapy.

Muscle Relaxation

The heat from the stones helps your muscles relax, allowing the massage therapist to manipulate your deep tissues more effectively. Overly tense muscles can hinder the massage procedure, so if your muscles are extremely tight or stiff, the heated stones may provide the extra relaxation you need for the massage to be beneficial in releasing tension and easing sore muscles.

Pain Relief

While all types of massage can help relieve pain caused by tense muscles, stiff joints or injuries, a hot stone massage may provide greater relief due to the intense nature of the massage. Because the hot stones allow the massage therapist to penetrate deeper, you may find that a hot stone massage leaves you feeling physically better than a Swedish or deep-tissue massage that does not incorporate heat. It is important to let your massage therapist know if you feel that the heat from the stones is too much or that the pressure he is using is too harsh. Pain or discomfort during the massage process can cause more harm than good after the massage is over.

Improved Circulation

Typically, a massage therapist allows the heated stones to rest on trigger points in your body before beginning the actual massage. As the heat from the stones penetrates into your deeper body tissues, your blood vessels open, resulting in improved circulation. Poor circulation can lead to fatigue, which tenses the muscles, and a buildup of fluid and lactic acid in the muscles. Increased circulation delivers more oxygen to the muscles, which can help ease aches and pains.

Mental Benefits

Massage therapy can result in mental benefits as well as physical ones in many people. You may find that the relaxation afforded to you through a hot stone massage helps ease some of your mental stress and tension. A hot stone massage may also help you combat some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression. While massage therapy is not a substitute for traditional medical or psychiatric care, it can be an integral part of your treatment plan.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/116678-benefits-hot-stone-massage/

Reiki for Animals

By: Sheila Buchanan 

The awareness that an unseen energy flows through all living things and directly affects the quality of a person’s or animal’s health has been part of the wisdom of various cultures since ancient times.  When life energy is low it is more difficult to deal with stress and the body is more susceptible to illness.  When life energy is strong, one can more easily deal with stress and is less likely to get sick.  Reiki is a technique that increases a person or animal’s supply of life energy.

Reiki can be used for physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual rebalancing and wellness. The nature of Reiki supports energetic harmony and balance and always goes to the origin of any problem or dis-ease, working for the highest good to rebalance and clear the energy “flow”.

Reiki is ideal for use with animals because it is gentle and non-invasive and doesn’t require the practitioner to physically contact the pet.  Rather than causing stress, discomfort, or pain, Reiki is calming and soothing to animal and can yield powerful results.  Animals respond intuitively to the power of Reiki to support and promote their own natural state of emotional, behavioral, and physical balance and well-being.

For animals who are healthy, Reiki helps maintain their health, enhances relaxation and provides an emotional sense of peace and contentment.  For animals who are ill, Reiki is a wonderful and safe complement to Western Medicine, Chinese Medicine, and all other forms of wellness enhancement and support.  For example, Reiki has been documented to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, support acupuncture treatment, and complement the effects of flower and gem essences.

For dying animals, Reiki is a powerful yet gentle way to provide comfort, relief from pain, fear, and anxiety, and to ease the transition to death and a compassionate way to support a dying animals’ family.

Sheila Buchanan is a Certified Shamanic Reiki Master.  She completed an Animal Reiki Internship in 2012 with Kathleen Prasad, founder of Animal Reiki Source.  She has worked with and helped countless pets with emotional and physical issues (including her own two dogs and two cats).  She is also an Ordained Minister in the state of Ohio and offers end-of-life sessions to animals that are dying and/or in hospice.  She compassionately offers her services to grieving families to help them heal from their loss and move forward.

Thai Yoga Massage

What is Thai Massage?

Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, Thai massage was performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine.

What Does Thai Massage Feel Like?

Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than more classic forms of massage. Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people say Thai massage is like doing yoga without any work. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are also used during treatment. People describe Thai massage as both relaxing and energizing.

What Should I Expect During My Visit?

Thai massage is usually done on a padded mat on the floor. No oil is applied, so you are fully dressed. You are usually asked to bring or wear comfortable clothing to the massage.

A typical Thai massage is 60 minutes to two hours long.

Many people find that Thai massage has the following benefits:

relaxes

reduces stress

improves circulation

increases energy

increases flexibility

improves range of motion

centers the mind and body

Precautions

Massage is not recommended for certain people:

infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds

immediately after surgery

immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor

prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage

pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage.

massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Additional tips

Don’t eat a heavy meal before the massage.

If it's your first time at the clinic or spa, arrive at least 10 minutes early to complete the necessary forms. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.

Be sure that your massage therapist has your complete health history, because people with certain conditions should not have Thai massage.

If you feel discomfort at any time, let your massage therapist know.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/treatmentsmtoq/a/Thai_Massage.htm