Good morning!
It is a beautiful start to the weekend here…I hope it is where you are too!
I figured I needed some spinach greens in my life again this morning…
I drank the green monster outdoors to wake up my body…
In this dazzling GM = 1 cup hemp milk, 2 small bunches of spinach, 1 tbsp maple butter, 1/2 frozen banana, 7 strawberries, 1 tbsp chia seeds. (awesome combo!!!!!)
Much better. What would I do without Green Monsters in my life!?
Liquid sanity.
and some flowers for you to enjoy…
Cheer me up buttercup…
Yoga As Therapy?
In last night’s How To Beat PMS post, I forgot to mention that I have been using yoga stretches to help my back pain. In particular, I love the Cobra and Camel poses for my lower back. They feel so soothing!
One of my favourite yoga websites, Yoga Journal, has a fantastic therapeutic guide for all kinds of ailments such as:
- Anxiety
- Back Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Menopause
- Menstruation
- Mild Depression
- Stress
It is pretty exciting to think that certain kinds of yoga poses could help with all of that!
What’s your take on yoga used as a therapeutic tool? Have you ever tried it or targeted specific ailments with certain poses? What are your favourite poses?
We’re off to the Farmer’s Market….see you later with the recap! Have a fabulous day.
Yes, yoga definitely helps me, too. I have to highly recommend Ana Brett’s Yoga Quick Fixes DVD. She IS a bit “woo woo” for some, but it WORKS. I have terrible, horrible PMS but when I do the “Positive PMS” segment on that DVD, I am golden. There are also sections for depression (which is GREAT), anxiety, addictions, sciatica, a section to improve your digestion, and more. I don’t work for them, just happy to recommend something that actually works. It’s amazing.
Love the flowers & green monster photo…keep up the good work
I do yoga mainly for the stretching after I’ve ran or rode my bike. I threw my back out several years ago and I found that it would really bother me when I ran. Then I started doing yoga. At first I just did a few DVD’s (Sara Ivanhoe – I love her. I love her personality, very friendly, and Shiva Rhea). Now I just do my favorite poses, especially for my lower back like downward dog, cobra, camel, wheel, and a bunch of forward bends for my legs, and finally a twist. Oh, and I’ve been doing a head stand lately, boy does that realign my back and really makes it feel good. Unfortunately, I’m not strong in my arms so a lot of weight is on my head in that one. I want to get one of those back devices where you put your feet in a harness, and you hang upside down. I work with someone who really threw his back out and was facing surgery which he didn’t want to do. He got one of those contraptions (I’m sorry, I can’t remember the name of it), and uses that about 3 minutes 3 times a day and his back is like new. Anyway, I got off track. I do my own kind of yoga thing, and I love it. I used to meditate at the end for about 5 minutes, which did wonders for my attitude and energy throughout the day. I haven’t done it in ages, and am feeling the effects (very grumpy and moody). I need to get back on track. And I get Yoga Journal every month – I look forward to reading it.
I have used it to de-stress, but never specifically to cure any of those ailments!
I love using yoga to stretch after a tough cardio and/or strength session. I have a hard time focusing on the poses and getting my mind in yoga. I’m horrible at meditation :(
OMGSH! I have literally been complaining to my bf about how much I need to start doing yoga to try to relieve some stress but I didn’t know where to start. Thank you so much! Angela to the rescue once again :)
I use yoga as therapy too. I think it definitely helps when I’m stressed or for PMS. I try to incorporate an hour yoga session one to two times a week to de-stress.
Mmmm. Yoga and a green monster. You’ve inspired me. That’s going on the agenda for my early afternoon…
Yoga is definitely therepeutic for me, and i’m addicted to it now! It calms my mind and I love how flexible I’m getting.
I can’t believe you put maple butter in your GM! I love it.
Yoga has been perfect for those days that I just want to relax but still want to be active. My favorite pose is upward facing dog since it helps me stretch out my back which is usually sore from sitting at a desk all day. Maybe I’ll try a few of those poses for PMS as a favor to the bf. :p
I absolutely love YogaToday.com which has free classes and a bunch of videos you can get for $3.99. I’ve only started doing yoga, though, and usually find that I’m too impatient to get through a whole class. Oops. Oooh, look, shiny!!!
haha I can relate to ‘Oooh, look, shiny!!’ LOL
I recently injured myself and tried Yoga for Ailments. It helped a lot. I really felt the stretch and it was safe and gentle. It improved my injury a lot faster in my opinion.
I’ve got to recommend Tara Stiles. http://www.youtubecom/user/TaraStilesYoga
She has everything from Yoga for Getting Out of Your Own Way to Chill Out Sessions for different parts of your body. When I’m not feeling like getting to a class or it’s night time I need something just relax, I go to her page. She’s very calming, a very good teacher.
Yoga is great for so many different things and it’s so good for your body, your mind.
Glad to hear you’re feeling better!! And maple syrup in smoothies sounds great! I’ll have to give that a try.
I was so happy to read this post!! I’ve been practicing yoga for a year and a half, toying with different types, and have become so much happier and stronger through my practice. My PMS symptoms are nonexistent, I find more peace with myself, and I am able to handle stressful situations with ease.
If I can’t sleep I do either child’s pose or camel pose. It really helps!! Also forward bends are perfect for TOM lower back pains along with triangle pose for PMS. :) I’m so happy yoga is helping your back!
I hope the weather stays nice for you. Good luck today!
Looks like everywhere is having beautiful weather today. I am so intrigued by Green Monsters! I would love to try it but am a little bit scared, especially as my blender is not exactly state of the art! Hope the farmers market goes well.
I have been trying to do more yoga. I have been using it for stretching and for mental clarity. I could definitely use some more but this is a really good start for me.
an interesting link for an Agave Nectar user: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/03/can-this-popular-alternative-sweetener-spike-uric-acid-into-the-danger-zone.aspx?aid=CD945
I actually don’t yuse Agave much anymore…it doesnt agree with my stomach
I’ve never used yoga to target any specific ailments, but it sure feels good as a way to stretch out sore muscles!
I love all the green!