For times that call for a quick pick-me-up, here’s a yogic exercise that works faster than a cup of coffee. Commonly known as the bellows breath, I call it the Stimulating Breath.
1.Sit with your back straight and put your tongue in the yogic position, as described in the box on page 6. Hold it there for the duration of the exercise.
2.Breathe in and out very rapidly through your nose, keeping your mouth lightly closed. Your inhalations and exhalations should be of equal length and as short as possible (as many as three cycles per second, if you can do that comfortably). You should feel muscular effort at the base of your neck just above the collarbones and diaphragm (try putting your hands on these spots to get a sense of movement). The action of your chest should be rapid and mechanical, like a bellows pumping air.
The first time you try this exercise, keep it up for no longer than 15 seconds, then breathe normally. Each time you do it, increase the duration by 5 seconds, if you can, until you work up to a full minute.
I recommend practicing every morning when you first get up. This is real exercise, and you can expect to feel some fatigue in the muscles you are using at first. At the same time, you should feel a sense of greater alertness and less mental fatigue, an effect that will increase with practice.
Ginger has good effects on your digestive system, neutralizing components of other foods that might normally cause you indigestion. This is a good reference page about the history and benefits of using ginger, from Swedish.com. Be aware, like garlic (LOL), raw ginger has a bite!
I just read an article this morning and posted it on eBeautyDaily about the influence of the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, on beauty and fashion this upcoming year. There was an interesting blurb in it from one of the stars of the movie, that you might be interested in:
Japanese actress Kaori Momoi plays ‘’Mother” - a harsh older woman who embraces the superficial side of the geisha beauty routine but not the spiritual. In real life, Momoi is 54, has smooth skin, and is spokeswoman for the SK-II brand of cosmetics. She’s considered a fashion leader in Japan.
'’Rob [Marshall] asked me not to look too young in the film. I used pancake and even ash-colored powder to age me,'’ she explains.
Asian skin is often noted for its smoothness and age-defying look. ‘’It’s said in Japan that white skin covers your seven flaws,'’ Momoi says with a laugh. ‘’I'm very aware of my skin and I take care of it. In L.A., people laugh because everyone wants a tan.'’
She says many of the people on the ‘’Geisha'’ set asked for her beauty secrets.
'’When I wake up, I like to take a sauna with steam,'’ she says.
I really have no idea where to find a sauna here, without joining a health club (which is not going to happen). Most of the year, here in Texas, it is a sauna everywhere you go, I certainly get plenty of sweating in! I wish I was one of those women who did not sweat, but unfortunately (but maybe better for my health, according to Dr. Weil) I am not. I sweat like a pig. I hope that counts, because I really don’t see finding another alternative.
I wonder how a hot tub figures in to this? I can’t think of a better reason to suggest that to my husband then for our good health and wellbeing!
Thank goodness we are off the garlic this week. I don’t want to try anymore raw garlic for awhile! Ha ha!
This weeks:
Projects: Find a steam bath or sauna and spend up to 20 minutes per day in it (making sure to replenish lost water!)
Diet: Try some crystallized ginger. Buy some fresh ginger and make some ginger tea (1/2 t. grated fresh gingerroot, 1/2 teaspoon honey - Put the ginger into a cup of boiling water, let steep for 10-15 minutes, then strain and add honey).
Exercise: Increase daily walk to 30 minutes.
Mental/Spiritual: Extend news fast to 3 days. Keep doing your breathing exercises and add the Stimulating Breath. Listen to music that is uplifting to you, and bring more fresh flowers into your home.
Optional: Do a one day fruit fast - eat nothing for one day except fresh fruit, water and herbal tea. Take vitamin C but skip other supplements today.
Welcome to Focus on Wellness, a part of the MRSA Resources community!
We are here to work together to learn how to improve our overall wellness, especially as it applies to
recovery from MRSA and other bacterial infections, but the information here will be beneficial to everyone.
We will be studying various books in the process of this group, the current book will be featured in the sidebar, and can be purchased through
the links here, or at your local booksellers.