Yoga for ThanksLIVING!

We have officially entered the holiday season. It's now that time of year when we see friends and family, share gifts, and partake in LOTS of eating. During this time, our digestive system may get off course. Here are a few yoga poses to keep it on track! Please email me if you have any favorites. - Zoraida (IHEARTSOULYOGA@YAHOO.COM)

Seated Twist
This seated twist stimulates and massages the internal organs of the abdomen, improving digestion and the function of the liver and kidneys. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, buttocks supported on a folded blanket. Bend your knees, put your feet on the floor, then slide your left foot under your right leg to the outside of your right hip. Lay the outside of the left leg on the floor. Step the right foot over the left leg and stand it on the floor outside your left hip. Exhale and twist toward the inside of the right thigh. Press the right hand against the floor just behind your right buttock, and set your left upper arm on the outside of your right thigh near the knee. Pull your front torso and inner right thigh snugly together. Press the inner right foot very actively into the floor, release the right groin, and lengthen the front torso. Continue the twist of the torso by turning it to the right. With every inhalation lift a little more through the sternum, pushing the fingers against the floor to help. Twist a little more with every exhalation. Be sure to distribute the twist evenly throughout the entire length of the spine. Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then release with an exhalation, return to the starting position, and repeat to the left for the same length of time.

Seated Forward Bend
This seated bend stimulates the internal organs. Sit on the floor with your buttocks supported on a folded blanket and your legs straight in front of you. Press actively through your heels.  Press through your palms or finger tips on the floor beside your hips and lift the top of the sternum toward the ceiling as the top thighs descend. Inhale, and keeping the front torso long, lean forward from the hip joints, not the waist. Lengthen the tailbone away from the back of your pelvis. If possible take the sides of the feet with your hands, thumbs on the soles, elbows fully extended; if this isn't possible, loop a strap around the foot soles, and hold the strap firmly. Be sure your elbows are straight, not bent. When you are ready to go further, don't forcefully pull yourself into the forward bend, whether your hands are on the feet or holding the strap, scarf, or tie. Always lengthen the front torso into the pose, keeping your head raised. The lower belly should touch the thighs first, then the upper belly, then the ribs, and the head last. With each inhalation, lift and lengthen the front torso just slightly; with each exhalation release a little more fully into the forward bend. Eventually you may be able to stretch the arms out beyond the feet on the floor. Stay in the pose anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes. To come up, first lift the torso away from the thighs and straighten the elbows again if they are bent. Then inhale and lift the torso up by pulling the tailbone down and into the pelvis.

Processed Food Link to Depression

The news on eating a whole food, primarily plant-based diet keeps getting better. A recent study conducted by the University College London concluded that a diet heavy in processed and fatty foods increases the risk of depression. The study also concluded a diet that contains plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish could help prevent the onset of depression. 

Low Budget High Style:2nd Hand Fashion Becomes a 1st Choice

With the holiday season around the corner, many of us have started to get invites to festive soirees, cocktail parties, even weddings. Instead of heading to the mall for a new outfit, why not grab your garb from a second hand/vintage source? Not only will you save some green, you'll help the environment and be green too.  Plus, you will be supporting a  local business and  you local economy.
My fav source for cool cocktail dresses is Affordable Beauty Inc. HIGHLY recommend checking out their stylish dresses . Owner Princess Wiggins has a great selection of evening wear for ladies. I've already picked out my dress and can't wait to ring in the New Year in style.
Getting married??? Affordable Beauty Inc has wedding gowns too. Adding eco friendly components to your wedding is a great way to show your commitment to the environment , your wallet, and get your married life off to a great start.

Don't settle for just being the belle of ball...be chic, hip, and green.

Yoga for Special Needs

Yoga for Special Needs children is an area of yoga that I'm interested in learning more about. There are many studies that demonstrate the benefits of yoga for those with debilities. Please read "Yoga can be effective therapy for children with special needs " and learn more about this amazing and much needed therapeutic practice.

Is Flaxseed the New Wonder Food?

WebMD posted an interesting article on flaxseed and called  it the most powerful plant food on the planet. Check out the WebMD's article "The Benefits of Flaxseed."    After reading the article, you'll probably wonder "how in the world do you cook with flax seed? Read "Easy Ways to Get Flaxseed in Your Diet"   , get recipes, and get the scoop on how to incorporate flaxseed into your life.

Have a Green Thanksgiving

The word namaste is an expression of deep gratitude and recognition. It is a word that acknowledges the divine beauty within ourselves, then looking outward to see it in one another.
Every year at Thanksgiving, many families offer gratitude among themselves. During this time, we must not only express gratitude toward one another, but also the planet earth. Check out the Daily Green's "How To Have a Green Thanksgiving"  and give thanks to all creatures on planet earth.

STUDY SHOWS YOGA IMPROVES SELF-CONTROL AND LOWERS STRESS

Not sure if yoga really helps? Can't seem to get the benefits of yoga? Please read

key findings from a  study conducted by the Niroga Institute are below. 

I studied at the Institute and completed Niroga's Corp Training Program (a special course for certified yoga teachers to learn how to address the needs of at-risk populations).  I currently teach at juvenile detention centers and group homes for girls in Connecticut. I am continually amazed to see how yoga brings relaxation and peace to those who often need it the most. 

"Using two psychometric tools for evaluation, PSS10 (a 10-point Perceived Stress Scale) and Niroga’s  IHS30 (30-point Integral Health Scale), statistically significant decline in stress (and anxiety and  depression) and improvement in self-awareness (and self-control, self-esteem, and subjective  happiness) have been noted within only 3 months into the year-long program. The results echo  similar effects observed by several Centers of Integrative Medicine nationwide, studying the effects  of Yoga and Meditation on stress in cancer patients, people with addiction, and patients with early-  onset HIV. Niroga’s Healing Yoga protocol is extending integral health practices to include a wide  range of vulnerable and marginalized populations. " For More Info Please visit http://www.niroga.org/media/press/PressReleaseNov_2006.pdf

Want more info? pickup the latest copy of YogaJournal Magazine and read about the benefits of Yoga for Incarcerated Youth.  or CONTACT ME!!!! Zoraidail@yahoo.com

Yoga for Back Pain Class at the Growing Green Co-Op

Doing yoga cultivates a balance between the flexibility and strength of the muscles of the body, often the real culprit in back pain. Most people are tight in key areas affecting the spine, for example in the hips and shoulders. A system such as yoga, which releases the tension in the muscles, should improve back pain. Come and learn poses designed to prevent back pain through improving basic spinal flexibility, strengthening the core and the spinal support muscles, and becoming comfortable with the movements that control flexion and extention of the spine.

In this class, yoga instructor Zoraida will teach the foundations for a healthy, supple spine. We will begin with a number of experiential a yogic exercises to align the pelvic and spinal bones and enliven the core muscles. In this class, you will learn how to tap into the therapeutic support of your breath to release pain and flush out old, stagnant energy in your back, and welcome in a new sense of aliveness, calm and comfort.    You are bound to leave with more self-confidence in knowing how to do yoga in a way that is healing for you and a handout detailing several movement progressions to create balance and ease in your everyday posture.  When: October 13th 6-7pm Where: The Growing Green Co-Op         201 New Britain Ave Hartford, CT 06106 860-247-5700 A $5 donation is requested to help support the Growing Green Co-Op. Stay and enjoy the infrared suana for only $5 more! Hope to See You There