How are you today? I hope this blog finds you and your loved ones in good health 🧡
Last month we looked at Ayurveda, Yoga’s sister science. with regard to staying healthy in Spring.See last month's blog-https://www.lighthouse-yoga.com/post/yoga-gems-to-keep-calm-with-a-stronger-immune-system
As it is still the Kapha season it is still important to focus on respiratory health this term.
Are you sneezing more since the arrival of the blossom? Feeling irritable? Itchy eyes?
Yes, for some of us it is Hay fever season which in our house means it's Neti Pot Time!
A weekly mixture (or whenever you wake up with the sneezes) of Himalayan neti salt and boiled water allowed to cool really helps. Remember to tip your nose slightly forward over the sink as you pour the warm water through one nostril and out of the other, then vice versa. It soothes and unblocks the sinuses and relieves the sneezing.
If you, like me, have had an over indulgent Easter or lockdown time with too much coffee, tea, chocolate or wine; the lethargy or hangover we feel, according to TCM ,is Liver Qi Stagnation.
The good news is by making a few little changes by day 3 you should feel tip top, healthier gut, more clarity and abundant energy. I confess that the caffeine headache was hellish on Sunday so I reverted to the cut down option! Happy to report that hay fever symptoms have vanished and enjoying the blossom. I hope this works for you too!
In addition to the the neti pot, I use a copper tongue scraper on waking to remove toxins that have accumulated on the tongue. Sounds disgusting but its not that bad. Followed by a cup of boiled water and lemon.
I incorporated some of the advice based of the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Yin Yoga too:
TCM recommends eating more green vegetables, along with red foods like beetroot and berries for the blood (along with a balanced diet). Great for liver and gall bladder health. It ensures the smooth flow of Qi for the emotions, digestion and secretion of bile to aid the gall bladder.
According to the TCM clock, the liver and gall bladder are restored from 11pm-3am so try to get to sleep before 11pm. I'm just about managing most days but I figure 4 out of 7 is better than nothing.
Cut down/out alcohol, milk chocolate, processed foods and sugar and caffeine
Stay hydrated with herbal teas and water.
Be around animals
More time in nature
Find a healthy way to manage your stress. Yin Yoga is one of my favourite ways for this.
Find a healthy way to express your emotions, especially anger this season. We have been practising the first of Patanjali's Yamas is Ahimsa - non violence in thoughts, words or deeds; essentially to be kind to yourself and extend that kindness to others.
For those new to Yin, it looks easy, however, after 3-5 minutes of holding a pose you will realise it is intensive, yet passive. I find the rebound poses in between bliss as I feel the stress melt away. The poses are carried out without any muscular tension or performance goals but have a positive effect on the deep layers of the body, particularly on the fascia. According to Stefanie Arend (author of Be Healthy With Yin Yoga), Yin Yoga reduces pain, encourages mobility and balances the flow of energy/QI (chi) in the meridians that run the same course as the fascia chains in the body. Germany's best known Fascia Researcher, Dr Robert Schleip has made reference that it is good for the healing of wounds in the body and reducing inflammation. It has also been found that cancer cells can spread more in rigid tissues than the well stretched ones. Yin Yoga distributes oxygen and nutrients in the body and takes waste material into the blood stream and lymph channels for elimination. I read somewhere that it reduces the appearance of cellulite too :-) From an energetic point of view, Yin Yoga is aligned with the five elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine in particular the meridians and the corresponding organs. We have been focusing on these meridians during our Sunday Yin class. The positive stress on the tissues reduces stagnant Qi or increases deficient QI. The result of every practice I've experienced is it promotes healthy emotions and a sense of well being. Like most of yoga it is 99% personal practice and experience.
If you would like to give it a try I will be teaching this Sunday via Zoom (http://wix.to/Y0ByALk)
Thank you for those who joined me on Zoom this month. It's been great reconnecting with old friends and new. It is amazing how fast we learn and adapt to the online world of technology when we have to! As promised - for those who want to purchase yoga props/bolsters etc - this link should give you the discounted rates( you may have to copy and paste it into your browser).
Lots of Love, Light & Healthy Vibrations
Trish X
Further reading:
1) Be Healthy With Yin Yoga, Stefanie Arend
2) The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga, Bernie Clark
3) Yin Yoga: Principles and Practice, Paul Grilley
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