Issue: #4: April 2008

Namaste friends,

When I was in teacher training, I was terribly serious. I tried so hard to do everything right and to understand every nuance of every pose--so much so that the ease and joy which should be part of the practice eluded me. My teacher recognized that tendency in me. But, instead of saying anything and belaboring the point, he would simply stick his tongue out when he walked by me. I would crack up. His spontaneous, kid-like gesture reminded me to lighten up.

I still take yoga very seriously. We all do. I see it in the intentness of your expressions and the striving in your muscles. But as a teacher, I teach my best classes when I'm having fun. If I don't have an agenda, I can swim with whatever arises in the moment. Likewise, you'll have your best practice when you give yourself permission to relax and forget about the perfect asana. It doesn't exist. Simply play!

So the next time you see me stick out my tongue in class, feel free to do the same.

Breathe well, be well,

Suzanne
Full Potential Yoga
suzanneausnit@optonline.net


Soul Food
"In rare moments of deep play, we can lay aside our sense of self, shed time's continuum, ignore pain, and sit quietly in the absolute present, watching the world's ordinary miracles. No mind or heart hobbles. No analyzing or explaining. No questing for logic. No promises. No goals. No relationships. No worry. One is completely open to whatever drama may unfold."

  --Diane Ackerman

HEAL

Jaws
Tension in your jaw can manifest itself as neck pain, headaches and facial discomfort. An easy way to relieve the tension is through an unorthodox physical therapy technique that targets nerves through light tapping movements (Pain Reflex Release Technique). Try it by softly biting your tongue with your left teeth and actively tapping your left cheek with your fingertips. You'll find that your right jaw muscle will relax. Repeat on the other side.

Sweet Prevention
Save the peels from citrus fruits and use the zest to flavor yogurt, tea, soups and muffins. Recent studies have shown that compounds in citrus zest (tangerine, lemon, orange and grapefruit) may help fight cancer. Likewise, stock up on cranberries, bacteria's arch-enemy. These powerful packets of phytochemicals fight e. coli (urinary tract infections) and h. pylori (ulcers and stomach cancer), and protect against stroke and heart disease. And if fruit isn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, a bit of dark chocolate a day can lower blood pressure by as much as three points in 18 weeks, according to a study in the American Medical Association Journal.

STRENGTHEN

Iso-Toner Forget about crunches. They don't target the deeper postural muscles of your core. Instead, use the push and pull technique of isometric strengthening. Lie on your back with both knees bent and the feet on the floor. Raise your right knee to 90 degrees. Keeping the elbow straight, press your right hand into your right knee for five slow breaths while you press the knee into your hand. Don't let either hand or knee be the victor. Repeat with the left leg, making sure not to hold your breath. Notice which side of your core is weaker, and spend more time on that side. Finally, repeat with both legs at the same time.

Hip Tip

If drawing your knee into your chest creates congestion in your hips, try this space opening trick. Stand with your right side parallel to a chair. Place your right foot on the seat with your knee bent to 90 degrees. Loop a long yoga strap over the right thigh crease. Buckle the strap and step the left foot onto the loop that you've formed. Tighten the buckle until the strap is snug against the right thigh. Then fold forward to the inside of the right thigh, drawing the thigh towards the ribcage. Bend and straighten the left leg. Repeat on the other side. Observe which side is tighter.

LIVE

Happiness for Sale

Happiness can be cultivated through financial generosity, according to a recent study at the University of British Columbia. Researchers found that study participants who were given money and who in turn gave it away were happier than others who kept the money. In addition, surveys find that those who use their money to pamper themselves are less happy than those who donate to charity on a regular basis. Give to yourself by developing the habit of giving to others. In the words of a Chinese proverb:
"If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month -- get married.
If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else."

Bye-bye bacteria

Bacteria, yeast and mold love to make their home in toothbrushes and kitchen sponges. To disinfect your sponge, wet it thoroughly and microwave for one minute every 3-5 days, according to a USDA study. If you're microwaving your toothbrush, submerge the bristles in a cup of water and boil for 1-2 minutes. Afterwards, rinse under running water.