Tips for a Healthier Winter
04/01/10 15:16 Filed in: Healthy Tips
Over the years I have learned a few tips that help me keep my body healthy especially when the seasonal changes are under way.
Colonics and Cleanses
As with your car you want to prepare your body for seasonal changes from the inside as well as the outside. As a colon-hydrotherapist I have often recommended colonics on a quarterly basis or during seasonal changes to reduce the toxic load on the body which helps to avoid colds and flu. The main reason for doing this is to reduce the toxic load on the liver so if a colonic is not workable to you there are other methods to improve liver health. For a simpler method make a trip to your health food store and find a liver cleanse program that you can purchase. It is recommended that you reduce the fat in your diet while doing this and even better if you follow a strict diet for at least part of the time. Like anything the more you put into it the better your results will be.
Certain herbs support efficient liver function.
Blue Flag-dispels heat fire and fever, cleanses the blood and lymphatics and helps bowel elimination. Combined with chickweed it can alleviate itchy skin.
Burdock Root-a strong acting herb for blood purification and clearing lymphatics. Known to cleanse congestion, reduce swelling and dispel toxins either through the skin or diuresis.
Chickweed-cleanses and purifies the blood, promotes bowel movement, soothes protects and nurtures internal membranes, stimulates cell growth and helps heal wounds.
Dandelion Root- among other attributes, dandelion root is a cleanser for the liver and gallbladder. It is especially good for diets that consist of a regular intake of meats or high in fat.
Milk Thistle-purifies the liver, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Plantain-firms tissue, assists in purifying the blood and lymphatics and helps heal wounds while promoting cell growth.
Slippery Elm-acts as a skin emollient, soothes protects and nurtures internal membranes.
If you are willing to do a cleanse you can try the Master Cleanse. The master cleanse is a common cleanse and has had good results over many years. If you carry more body weight and have never undertaken a cleanse before I suggest the Arise and Shine cleanse. It is more expensive, however it is a fool proof method for a novice to cleansing diets. The cleanse kit comes with instructions and should include what you need to do the cleanse properly. Although I have not tried the process myself I have known many people to rave about it.
A tea made from ginger root and turmeric is excellent for relieving joint and tissue inflammation. Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb. It also helps soothe your tummy after overeating. Turmeric is an antiviral so it boosts the immune system. Since the tea heats up the body it is recommended during cool or cold climates. To make this tea grate or cut up at least a tablespoon of ginger root per cup of tea. Bring cup or mug of purified water to a boil, add the ginger and steep for fifteen minutes. Strain the tea into a cup and add a 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder to the tea before drinking it.
Healthy Skin
I believe that Ayurvedic skin care is an excellent way to keep your skin healthy. In the morning or before showering, brush the skin for about ten minutes with a skin brush. A natural skin brush can be purchased at a health food store. Brush the skin starting at the top of the head and work your way down. They say it helps to brush in a circular motion over joints and brush the length of the limbs in between the joints. Now apply a heated Ayurvedic oil to the skin, also starting at the head and working down to the feet. During the winter you can usually use sesame oil or Prabhanjanam or a 50/50 combination of both. Both oils are warming and good for dry environmental conditions. Both oils are especially for a Vata dosha body type. In Ayurvedic tradition there are three doshas or body type-Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To take a test to see which is your primary dosha you can take an online dosha test
If your are experiencing exhaustion or feel your body is in a delicate condition you might use a Bala oil. For warmer climates or if your body tends toward inflammation, Chandanadi oil is more appropriate. You can cut Chandanadi with coconut oil if you prefer. Both have a cooling effect on the body.
During your shower it is recommended to use a mild soap to keep from removing the oil entirely. These oils not only add a protective layer to the body, they also are medicinal to body tissue so thoroughly massaging the oil into the pores of the skin is encouraged. If you know an Ayurvedic doctor or practitioner I recommend that they prescribe the best oil for your body type. There are several oils and I have only mentioned two.
Feet
Feet that tend to crack and peel need extra care. The above oil massage before showering may be enough, however if after awhile you do not see a change you can try massaging your feet with a cooling lotion such as peppermint. I have found that Tea Tree oil rubbed over the feet after a shower helps my feet. If you have feet that are prone to severe cracking or dryness you can try another Ayurvedic approach which consists of applying a coat of Brahmi Ghee to the feet before bedtime and wearing an old pair of sox to bed.
Although these suggestions are by no means exhaustive they may serve you so enjoy!
Colonics and Cleanses
As with your car you want to prepare your body for seasonal changes from the inside as well as the outside. As a colon-hydrotherapist I have often recommended colonics on a quarterly basis or during seasonal changes to reduce the toxic load on the body which helps to avoid colds and flu. The main reason for doing this is to reduce the toxic load on the liver so if a colonic is not workable to you there are other methods to improve liver health. For a simpler method make a trip to your health food store and find a liver cleanse program that you can purchase. It is recommended that you reduce the fat in your diet while doing this and even better if you follow a strict diet for at least part of the time. Like anything the more you put into it the better your results will be.
Certain herbs support efficient liver function.
Blue Flag-dispels heat fire and fever, cleanses the blood and lymphatics and helps bowel elimination. Combined with chickweed it can alleviate itchy skin.
Burdock Root-a strong acting herb for blood purification and clearing lymphatics. Known to cleanse congestion, reduce swelling and dispel toxins either through the skin or diuresis.
Chickweed-cleanses and purifies the blood, promotes bowel movement, soothes protects and nurtures internal membranes, stimulates cell growth and helps heal wounds.
Dandelion Root- among other attributes, dandelion root is a cleanser for the liver and gallbladder. It is especially good for diets that consist of a regular intake of meats or high in fat.
Milk Thistle-purifies the liver, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Plantain-firms tissue, assists in purifying the blood and lymphatics and helps heal wounds while promoting cell growth.
Slippery Elm-acts as a skin emollient, soothes protects and nurtures internal membranes.
If you are willing to do a cleanse you can try the Master Cleanse. The master cleanse is a common cleanse and has had good results over many years. If you carry more body weight and have never undertaken a cleanse before I suggest the Arise and Shine cleanse. It is more expensive, however it is a fool proof method for a novice to cleansing diets. The cleanse kit comes with instructions and should include what you need to do the cleanse properly. Although I have not tried the process myself I have known many people to rave about it.
A tea made from ginger root and turmeric is excellent for relieving joint and tissue inflammation. Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb. It also helps soothe your tummy after overeating. Turmeric is an antiviral so it boosts the immune system. Since the tea heats up the body it is recommended during cool or cold climates. To make this tea grate or cut up at least a tablespoon of ginger root per cup of tea. Bring cup or mug of purified water to a boil, add the ginger and steep for fifteen minutes. Strain the tea into a cup and add a 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder to the tea before drinking it.
Healthy Skin
I believe that Ayurvedic skin care is an excellent way to keep your skin healthy. In the morning or before showering, brush the skin for about ten minutes with a skin brush. A natural skin brush can be purchased at a health food store. Brush the skin starting at the top of the head and work your way down. They say it helps to brush in a circular motion over joints and brush the length of the limbs in between the joints. Now apply a heated Ayurvedic oil to the skin, also starting at the head and working down to the feet. During the winter you can usually use sesame oil or Prabhanjanam or a 50/50 combination of both. Both oils are warming and good for dry environmental conditions. Both oils are especially for a Vata dosha body type. In Ayurvedic tradition there are three doshas or body type-Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To take a test to see which is your primary dosha you can take an online dosha test
If your are experiencing exhaustion or feel your body is in a delicate condition you might use a Bala oil. For warmer climates or if your body tends toward inflammation, Chandanadi oil is more appropriate. You can cut Chandanadi with coconut oil if you prefer. Both have a cooling effect on the body.
During your shower it is recommended to use a mild soap to keep from removing the oil entirely. These oils not only add a protective layer to the body, they also are medicinal to body tissue so thoroughly massaging the oil into the pores of the skin is encouraged. If you know an Ayurvedic doctor or practitioner I recommend that they prescribe the best oil for your body type. There are several oils and I have only mentioned two.
Feet
Feet that tend to crack and peel need extra care. The above oil massage before showering may be enough, however if after awhile you do not see a change you can try massaging your feet with a cooling lotion such as peppermint. I have found that Tea Tree oil rubbed over the feet after a shower helps my feet. If you have feet that are prone to severe cracking or dryness you can try another Ayurvedic approach which consists of applying a coat of Brahmi Ghee to the feet before bedtime and wearing an old pair of sox to bed.
Although these suggestions are by no means exhaustive they may serve you so enjoy!
Prolong the Benefits of Massage
22/11/09 20:46 Filed in: Benefits of massage
How to Prolong the Benefits of Bodywork
So you have just had a massage. If massage is a regular part of your health regime then you know that massage works in wonderful ways, easing stress and pain, calming the nervous system, increasing circulation, loosening tight muscles, stimulating internal organs, and enhancing skin tone. However, you do not have to understand the complex physiological effects of massage to know that it feels good and of course you want to hold on to that just-had-a-massage feeling -- total body relaxation, muscles relaxed and at ease, and fluid movement restored -- for as long as possible.
But how long that bliss lasts depends on the state of your body. If you're suffering from chronic pain or recovering from injury, then it may take more sessions and perhaps different modalities before optimal health is restored.
If massage is part of your regular health regimen, then it's more likely the effects will endure. In other words, the effects of massage are cumulative, like any healthy habit. The more often you get a massage, the greater and longer-lasting the benefits.
Massage Frequency
How often you receive massage depends on why you're seeking massage. In dealing with the general tension of everyday family stressors, computer work, and time demands, a monthly massage may be enough to sustain you. On the other hand, if you're seeking massage for chronic pain, you may need regular treatments every week or two. Or if you're addressing an acute injury or dealing with high levels of stress, you may need more frequent appointments. Your circumstances will dictate the frequency of treatments, and your practitioner will work with you to determine the best course of action.
"You need to consider how you felt before the session and how you felt after, and then look at how long you maintain that," says Pieter Sommen, the chair of the eastern department in the Swedish Institute School of Massage Therapy in New York.
In general, experts say "regular" is preferable, but how regular depends on your situation. While daily massage would be delightful, practical considerations such as cost, time, and physical need likely determine the frequency of treatments. "It's best to maintain a schedule," says Eeris Kallil, CMT, a shiatsu instructor at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Colorado. "That way the body becomes conditioned and prepared for session at specific intervals."
Maintenance
Whether you get a massage weekly, monthly, or just every once in a while, the following habits can maximize and extend the afterglow of treatment.
Water
Nearly all massage therapists will remind you to drink plenty of water after a massage. Bodywork -- no matter the particular modality -- releases toxins, such as lactic acid and carbonic acid, that need to be flushed from the body. Massage also promotes circulation, increasing blood flow and oxygen and stimulating the lymphatic system, which helps rid the body of pathogens. After-massage hydration supports these functions, helping to eliminate released impurities, sooner rather than later.
Stretching
I find that daily stretching helps to maintain joint mobility, prevent muscles from tightening up again, and keeping the life energy flowing. This may mean doing yoga or whatever specific or full-body stretches suggested by your practitioner. You can create a routine that works for you as long as you remain motivated to do it. Ten minutes each day is more beneficial than a sixty minute workout once each week. This is especially true as you mature. Your body, as it ages needs constant toning to remain flexible. A morning routine using the sun salutation, a common practice in yoga, can benefit the whole body. Always keep in mind that when you stretch or do yoga, if you feel pain back off of the stretch to avoid injury.
Exercise
Working out can also help maintain the benefits of massage, and this habit should be continually cultivated. However, if you're receiving massage therapy to help speed muscle strain recovery, you may need to ease up on the exercise for a while and give the body time to heal -- particularly if you're recovering from a strenuous body-pummeling training regimen. "You don't want to over-work your body," says Kallil. That is, if running is taking a toll, try something more gentle and meditative such as swimming, walking, or tai chi.
Body Awareness
After a massage, respect how your body feels. If possible, schedule a “light activity” day or better yet, time-off after a massage. If your body seems to ask for rest, give in to that demand. And don't allow yourself to get fatigued because it will undermine the effects of massage. Get sufficient sleep to allow the body to absorb the effects and regain vitality.
Diet
Finally, since you've just rid the body of toxins, support the body's renewed state by adhering to a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which will continue the detoxification process. Lay off the espresso and all adrenaline-challenges for a time -- which would short-circuit relaxation anyway -- and enjoy the calm.
The benefits of massage are many, including:
After receiving a massage, clients feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and refreshed. By opting for a few lifestyle choices, you can extend these benefits and get the most out of your massage.
So you have just had a massage. If massage is a regular part of your health regime then you know that massage works in wonderful ways, easing stress and pain, calming the nervous system, increasing circulation, loosening tight muscles, stimulating internal organs, and enhancing skin tone. However, you do not have to understand the complex physiological effects of massage to know that it feels good and of course you want to hold on to that just-had-a-massage feeling -- total body relaxation, muscles relaxed and at ease, and fluid movement restored -- for as long as possible.
But how long that bliss lasts depends on the state of your body. If you're suffering from chronic pain or recovering from injury, then it may take more sessions and perhaps different modalities before optimal health is restored.
If massage is part of your regular health regimen, then it's more likely the effects will endure. In other words, the effects of massage are cumulative, like any healthy habit. The more often you get a massage, the greater and longer-lasting the benefits.
Massage Frequency
How often you receive massage depends on why you're seeking massage. In dealing with the general tension of everyday family stressors, computer work, and time demands, a monthly massage may be enough to sustain you. On the other hand, if you're seeking massage for chronic pain, you may need regular treatments every week or two. Or if you're addressing an acute injury or dealing with high levels of stress, you may need more frequent appointments. Your circumstances will dictate the frequency of treatments, and your practitioner will work with you to determine the best course of action.
"You need to consider how you felt before the session and how you felt after, and then look at how long you maintain that," says Pieter Sommen, the chair of the eastern department in the Swedish Institute School of Massage Therapy in New York.
In general, experts say "regular" is preferable, but how regular depends on your situation. While daily massage would be delightful, practical considerations such as cost, time, and physical need likely determine the frequency of treatments. "It's best to maintain a schedule," says Eeris Kallil, CMT, a shiatsu instructor at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Colorado. "That way the body becomes conditioned and prepared for session at specific intervals."
Maintenance
Whether you get a massage weekly, monthly, or just every once in a while, the following habits can maximize and extend the afterglow of treatment.
Water
Nearly all massage therapists will remind you to drink plenty of water after a massage. Bodywork -- no matter the particular modality -- releases toxins, such as lactic acid and carbonic acid, that need to be flushed from the body. Massage also promotes circulation, increasing blood flow and oxygen and stimulating the lymphatic system, which helps rid the body of pathogens. After-massage hydration supports these functions, helping to eliminate released impurities, sooner rather than later.
Stretching
I find that daily stretching helps to maintain joint mobility, prevent muscles from tightening up again, and keeping the life energy flowing. This may mean doing yoga or whatever specific or full-body stretches suggested by your practitioner. You can create a routine that works for you as long as you remain motivated to do it. Ten minutes each day is more beneficial than a sixty minute workout once each week. This is especially true as you mature. Your body, as it ages needs constant toning to remain flexible. A morning routine using the sun salutation, a common practice in yoga, can benefit the whole body. Always keep in mind that when you stretch or do yoga, if you feel pain back off of the stretch to avoid injury.
Exercise
Working out can also help maintain the benefits of massage, and this habit should be continually cultivated. However, if you're receiving massage therapy to help speed muscle strain recovery, you may need to ease up on the exercise for a while and give the body time to heal -- particularly if you're recovering from a strenuous body-pummeling training regimen. "You don't want to over-work your body," says Kallil. That is, if running is taking a toll, try something more gentle and meditative such as swimming, walking, or tai chi.
Body Awareness
After a massage, respect how your body feels. If possible, schedule a “light activity” day or better yet, time-off after a massage. If your body seems to ask for rest, give in to that demand. And don't allow yourself to get fatigued because it will undermine the effects of massage. Get sufficient sleep to allow the body to absorb the effects and regain vitality.
Diet
Finally, since you've just rid the body of toxins, support the body's renewed state by adhering to a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which will continue the detoxification process. Lay off the espresso and all adrenaline-challenges for a time -- which would short-circuit relaxation anyway -- and enjoy the calm.
The benefits of massage are many, including:
- Increasing circulation
- More oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
- Stimulate lymph flow and boosting immunity
- Relaxing overused or tight muscles
- Increasing joint mobility and range of motion
- Reducing recovery time after strenuous workouts or surgery
- Temporary relief of back pain, migraines, other chronic pain
After receiving a massage, clients feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and refreshed. By opting for a few lifestyle choices, you can extend these benefits and get the most out of your massage.
Answers to Life's Questions
12/11/09 23:47 Filed in: Food for Thought
Answers to Life’s Questions...
For much of my life I have attempted to understand what has appeared to be two divergent philosophies. When I was young my godmother was my spiritual mentor. Her premiss was that life was about being in service to "God" or the Universe," whatever you call the I AM THAT I AM. She believed that it was God’s will that we should, live by faith and trust and that all that we needed would be provided for. It was important not to "push" our will and to trust that the Creator always knew our needs better than we knew ourselves. She lived this way throughout the time I knew her and she made a lasting impression on me.
As I entered my late 20's I became aware of a somewhat different philosophy, "We are the creators or creator gods and Source or God was a loving but neutral energy and it was up to us to set goals and take an active part in the creative process." This also means accepting responsibility for what you choose or create. For much of my life these two philosophies seemed to contradict one another. I went back and forth between both realities for periods of time trying to understand them and to gain an awareness on which held true for me. As time evolved I began to accept that the two concepts worked together in varying degrees. As you might imagine my new question became how and when to apply each.
For me a part of this process has been the evolution, not only of how my role was in the universe, but also my beliefs on how I really saw myself. I have never been wealthy and my youth, like many advanced souls, had its share of challenges that affected my self-esteem. In this reality my godmother’s beliefs gave me comfort and so I left it up to God to portion out what HE/SHE felt I deserved. I rarely went without but spent most of my life living on the edge. What this approach did for me was teach me to trust. As I grew to both accept my self worth and to trust, in both myself and the Universe, taking charge of my creative process began to make more sense. In the last few years more information has surfaced to support this reality. Although I found “The Secret” to be a good overview of what I had already worked with for years, it did not do much for me. Eckart Tolle is another popular philosopher and metaphysician. Much of what he writes I understand and accept. I find that “living in the now” seems to be the crossing over point for the two philosophies while weighing in toward my godmother’s beliefs. Esther Hicks’s channelings on Abraham speaks to me more directly. Her information has helped me to sort out the two philosophies into their proper place. I feel that Abraham definitely subscribes to the “creative” process. Abraham’s analogy of “flowing down stream” and using your emotions to be your barometer to indicate to you whether you are “flowing up” or “down stream,” helps me to merge the two philosophies in a way that they no longer feel dissimilar. My godmother spoke of how emotions are a strong component of the creative process. I have also experienced rare moments when emotions serve as a monitor to indicate when I was receiving guidance from my teachers. At this point I should mention that for the last thirty years, I have learned to rely on guidance from my “inner council of teachers and guides” to help me make decisions, especially the more important ones. This has been a part of my process in living my godmothers philosophy and more importantly to learn trust. However, there are moments when my guidance and my gut emotions are not in agreement and up until now I have listened to my guidance.
Recently I have opened up to the Human Design blueprint and although I understand very little about it, Human Design has helped to clarify some of the loose ends that I have struggled to understand. My particular “design” is a manifesting generator. My inner authority is emotional-solar plexus. My emotions, according to my design and Esther Hicks’s channelings, are an important barometer for me. Eckhart Tolle, on the other hand is, quite possibly speaking to another design inner authority which calls for live in the now.
Learning to use my emotions as my guidance has become very helpful. In the last couple of years my guidance, from my inner-council, has become more ambiguous. It is not that I have lost my connection to “Source” but more that my “Dharmic” path has been to foster more responsibility in making my own choices. It is as though I am being trusted to choose as I may which I find to be both an “honorable” and somewhat scary path to be on. Then again, if you see life as a stage.......well you decide.
If you would like to learn more about Human Design contact Stephen Rebolledo on Kauai at (646) 533-5418 or visit his site at www.humandesignnow.com. There you can find a link to create your own free human design chart.
For much of my life I have attempted to understand what has appeared to be two divergent philosophies. When I was young my godmother was my spiritual mentor. Her premiss was that life was about being in service to "God" or the Universe," whatever you call the I AM THAT I AM. She believed that it was God’s will that we should, live by faith and trust and that all that we needed would be provided for. It was important not to "push" our will and to trust that the Creator always knew our needs better than we knew ourselves. She lived this way throughout the time I knew her and she made a lasting impression on me.
As I entered my late 20's I became aware of a somewhat different philosophy, "We are the creators or creator gods and Source or God was a loving but neutral energy and it was up to us to set goals and take an active part in the creative process." This also means accepting responsibility for what you choose or create. For much of my life these two philosophies seemed to contradict one another. I went back and forth between both realities for periods of time trying to understand them and to gain an awareness on which held true for me. As time evolved I began to accept that the two concepts worked together in varying degrees. As you might imagine my new question became how and when to apply each.
For me a part of this process has been the evolution, not only of how my role was in the universe, but also my beliefs on how I really saw myself. I have never been wealthy and my youth, like many advanced souls, had its share of challenges that affected my self-esteem. In this reality my godmother’s beliefs gave me comfort and so I left it up to God to portion out what HE/SHE felt I deserved. I rarely went without but spent most of my life living on the edge. What this approach did for me was teach me to trust. As I grew to both accept my self worth and to trust, in both myself and the Universe, taking charge of my creative process began to make more sense. In the last few years more information has surfaced to support this reality. Although I found “The Secret” to be a good overview of what I had already worked with for years, it did not do much for me. Eckart Tolle is another popular philosopher and metaphysician. Much of what he writes I understand and accept. I find that “living in the now” seems to be the crossing over point for the two philosophies while weighing in toward my godmother’s beliefs. Esther Hicks’s channelings on Abraham speaks to me more directly. Her information has helped me to sort out the two philosophies into their proper place. I feel that Abraham definitely subscribes to the “creative” process. Abraham’s analogy of “flowing down stream” and using your emotions to be your barometer to indicate to you whether you are “flowing up” or “down stream,” helps me to merge the two philosophies in a way that they no longer feel dissimilar. My godmother spoke of how emotions are a strong component of the creative process. I have also experienced rare moments when emotions serve as a monitor to indicate when I was receiving guidance from my teachers. At this point I should mention that for the last thirty years, I have learned to rely on guidance from my “inner council of teachers and guides” to help me make decisions, especially the more important ones. This has been a part of my process in living my godmothers philosophy and more importantly to learn trust. However, there are moments when my guidance and my gut emotions are not in agreement and up until now I have listened to my guidance.
Recently I have opened up to the Human Design blueprint and although I understand very little about it, Human Design has helped to clarify some of the loose ends that I have struggled to understand. My particular “design” is a manifesting generator. My inner authority is emotional-solar plexus. My emotions, according to my design and Esther Hicks’s channelings, are an important barometer for me. Eckhart Tolle, on the other hand is, quite possibly speaking to another design inner authority which calls for live in the now.
Learning to use my emotions as my guidance has become very helpful. In the last couple of years my guidance, from my inner-council, has become more ambiguous. It is not that I have lost my connection to “Source” but more that my “Dharmic” path has been to foster more responsibility in making my own choices. It is as though I am being trusted to choose as I may which I find to be both an “honorable” and somewhat scary path to be on. Then again, if you see life as a stage.......well you decide.
If you would like to learn more about Human Design contact Stephen Rebolledo on Kauai at (646) 533-5418 or visit his site at www.humandesignnow.com. There you can find a link to create your own free human design chart.
Anal Breath-Or How to Get Your Head In Your Ass
09/11/09 22:38 Filed in: Healthy Tips
During my training as a Sacred Intimate one of the most valuable teachings that came from that training was conscious breathing. Chester Mainard, my mentor, friend and one of the instructors at the Body Electric School, considered this the most important teaching of the course. Of the different breath styles we learned, I feel that the anal breath has been the most useful to my clients. Before I go into the function and technique of anal breathing I feel it is important to start with a short anatomy lesson.
Technically a diaphragm is any muscular sheet that forms a wall. Our body has three main diaphragms that we are concerned with; the diaphragmatic muscle which controls the lungs, the urogenital diaphragm which extends between the pubic bones and the pelvic diaphragm forming the foundation of the anal triangle. The last two are part of the perineum.
The diaphragmatic muscle is the band of muscles that cause the expansion and contraction of the lungs and therefore controls our breath. For the most part this activity requires no conscious effort yet it can be voluntarily controlled. The perineum is the root of our body and is the location for the root chakra. Because it is the home of the root chakra it connects us energetically to the Earth and gives us a sense of grounding. The perineum can provide a deep feeling of pleasure when touched properly. Contracting the muscles of the perineum is another way of creating pleasure (a future article). These feelings can be channeled up the spine and into the head, stimulating the other chakras and endocrine glands.
There are three parts to the anal breath:
1) The first is to establish awareness of the anal sphincter. This can be done in one of two methods, whichever is easiest for you to accomplish. The first is to imagine the anal region as though you could project your conscious awareness in the area-sort of like putting your head in your ass. OR you can very gently push out on the anal sphincter. This is more about intention than actual pressure. Again the idea is to bring your focus to the area.
2) Once you have established awareness of the anal sphincter, the next step is to take a full breath. One of the advantages of the anal breath is that it relaxes the pelvic diaphragms and allows you to expand into a fuller breath with less effort.
3) The third, and probably the most challenging for you to understand, is to surrender the breath on the exhale. When you exhale it is important to let the diaphragmatic muscles that control the lungs to naturally contract without resistance. You are not forcing the air from the lungs you are simply to surrender and let the lungs contract without resistance. It helps that the throat is relaxed and to exhale through your mouth.
Benefits of the anal breath include:
1) A sense of grounded awareness which helps with presence.
2) Performing this breath regularly can put you in touch with a deeper state of awareness, a deeper internal wisdom.
3) Your pelvic area will relax which can reduce issues with sciatica, prostate and hemorrhoids because your pelvis will relax.
4) This breath will increase your balance, both physically and energetically. When your pelvis relaxes you will walk with more fluidity. You will also feel balanced energetically. For example if you feel stressed or someone is giving you a difficult time, performing this breath will take the charge off of you and ground it into the Earth.
5) Performing this breath for ten minutes before a vocal performance will deepen your vocal resonance.
How do you know if you are doing the breath correctly? Even if you have difficulty in surrendering the exhale, relaxing the pelvis through the breath will help tremendously. One way I know I am doing the breath correctly is that I will immediately feel more relaxed. If I take a walk and practice the anal breath I feel as though my feet have grown roots and start to get heavier. My gate takes on a slight swagger as well.
The beauty of this breath is that it can be performed anywhere and at anytime. It is subtle yet effective. Enjoy!
Technically a diaphragm is any muscular sheet that forms a wall. Our body has three main diaphragms that we are concerned with; the diaphragmatic muscle which controls the lungs, the urogenital diaphragm which extends between the pubic bones and the pelvic diaphragm forming the foundation of the anal triangle. The last two are part of the perineum.
The diaphragmatic muscle is the band of muscles that cause the expansion and contraction of the lungs and therefore controls our breath. For the most part this activity requires no conscious effort yet it can be voluntarily controlled. The perineum is the root of our body and is the location for the root chakra. Because it is the home of the root chakra it connects us energetically to the Earth and gives us a sense of grounding. The perineum can provide a deep feeling of pleasure when touched properly. Contracting the muscles of the perineum is another way of creating pleasure (a future article). These feelings can be channeled up the spine and into the head, stimulating the other chakras and endocrine glands.
There are three parts to the anal breath:
1) The first is to establish awareness of the anal sphincter. This can be done in one of two methods, whichever is easiest for you to accomplish. The first is to imagine the anal region as though you could project your conscious awareness in the area-sort of like putting your head in your ass. OR you can very gently push out on the anal sphincter. This is more about intention than actual pressure. Again the idea is to bring your focus to the area.
2) Once you have established awareness of the anal sphincter, the next step is to take a full breath. One of the advantages of the anal breath is that it relaxes the pelvic diaphragms and allows you to expand into a fuller breath with less effort.
3) The third, and probably the most challenging for you to understand, is to surrender the breath on the exhale. When you exhale it is important to let the diaphragmatic muscles that control the lungs to naturally contract without resistance. You are not forcing the air from the lungs you are simply to surrender and let the lungs contract without resistance. It helps that the throat is relaxed and to exhale through your mouth.
Benefits of the anal breath include:
1) A sense of grounded awareness which helps with presence.
2) Performing this breath regularly can put you in touch with a deeper state of awareness, a deeper internal wisdom.
3) Your pelvic area will relax which can reduce issues with sciatica, prostate and hemorrhoids because your pelvis will relax.
4) This breath will increase your balance, both physically and energetically. When your pelvis relaxes you will walk with more fluidity. You will also feel balanced energetically. For example if you feel stressed or someone is giving you a difficult time, performing this breath will take the charge off of you and ground it into the Earth.
5) Performing this breath for ten minutes before a vocal performance will deepen your vocal resonance.
How do you know if you are doing the breath correctly? Even if you have difficulty in surrendering the exhale, relaxing the pelvis through the breath will help tremendously. One way I know I am doing the breath correctly is that I will immediately feel more relaxed. If I take a walk and practice the anal breath I feel as though my feet have grown roots and start to get heavier. My gate takes on a slight swagger as well.
The beauty of this breath is that it can be performed anywhere and at anytime. It is subtle yet effective. Enjoy!
Tips to Stay on Top of Holiday Stress
02/11/09 19:02 Filed in: Healthy Tips
Here "it" comes-holiday stress. As families negotiate where to spend Thanksgiving, and millions of us are making the empty promise to ourselves to start early on holiday shopping, the anxiety begins to build. And it only gets crazier from here. Choir practice for the kids, family gatherings at every turn, office parties, treks to the mall, baking...you know where this is headed. So what can you do about it? To learn more...