JoyFull Living by Louise Lavergne [video]
JoyFull Living by Louise Lavergne
From the Heart Fisrt published 2/09
February is when we can look forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day. This is not just a good excuse to eat chocolates, but a time to think about our heart – the romance of our emotional hearts and our physical hearts. Taking care of our daily stress is crucial to our hearts’ wellbeing. Let’s look at a few ways that stress is harmful to the heart specifically. (For more information on heart health from a a variety of medical journals, go to WebMed.com.)
· Acute stress has been associated with higher risk of serious cardiac events, such as heart-rhythm abnormalities and heart attacks.
· Sudden stress increases the pumping action and rate of the heart and causes the arteries to constrict, thereby posing the risk of blocking blood flow to the heart.
· Stress causes blood to become stickier, increasing the likelihood of an artery-clogging blood clot.
· Stress may signal the body to release fat into the bloodstream, raising blood-cholesterol levels, at least temporarily.
· In women, chronic stress may reduce estrogen levels, which are important for cardiac health.
Yoga has been proven to be very effective in relieving stress and improving cardiovascular health. This month in my classes we will practice the heart Mudra (hand position) as well as other exercises to ease tension and support heart health.
Another great way to take care of stress and celebrate Valentine’s Day is to share yoga with a partner or friend. Yoga can open the door to healthy communication. It can bring us closer as we cross over the turbulent waters of stress to arrive together to a peaceful inner place. Also, many yoga poses can be improved by working with a partner. Start by sitting back to back, if using chairs, sit sideways so your backs can lean on each other. Begin taking slow deep breath as you lean on each other sitting up. You may find that after a short time your breathing is synchronized. Then take turns leaning back and forth slowly, giving each other a chance to stretch a little more each time.
Remember to take time to breathe and say I love you, from the heart.
. © Louise Lavergne 2001-2010
www.joyfull-yoga.com; 541-899-0707 Louise is the owner of JoyFull Yoga LLC in Jacksonville where she offers group and private sessions. She is the yoga provider for Triune Integrative Medicine in Medford where she works with patients of Dr. Robin Miller. She is also a Motivational speaker. She has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for over 20 years.
[video]
JoyFull Living by Louise Lavergne
When I was first opening JoyFull yoga; a nice couple was thanking me: “This town needs a yogurt place.”
Yoga is not a breakfast food nor a religion or doctrine. It means Union. This ancient science is superb for stress management and offers a discipline to relax and exercise the Body, Mind and Spirit improving muscle tone, circulation, balance and overall wellbeing.
According to reports by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, stress is linked to 90% of illness and disease. Yoga is a powerful tool to help you maintain your healthy, JoyFull Jacksonville lifestyle. It doesn’t mean having to perform pretzel poses necessarily. I take the time to discuss what might be the best approach for a new student. I encourage you to try different classes within your interest and ability. Most teachers offer modification for all levels. I hear from a wide range of students ages 15 to 95. “I feel so much better since I’ve been coming to class.” Yoga is a practice. Start where you are right now and grow from there.
I think that the most important part of any Yoga is practice is Pranayama (the science of Breath.) Simply learning beneficial breathing techniques can change your life. As you connect with your breath, you can activate your body’s own ability to relax, heal and restore itself. Proper breathing improves hiking, running, golfing, fly fishing, eating, etc… and even wine tasting is better if you know the art of deep breathing!
Here is a quick, easy way to get started and keep stress levels down throughout your day. Three Life Saving Breaths: In my corporate program Yoga on the GO tm I teach this practice of taking 3 deep breaths before or after at least 3 daily tasks such as shower, meals, driving, going to bed, etc … Start with one hand on belly – one hand on chest. Keep shoulders relaxed and roll them back and down. Feel the belly and chest expand as you inhale through the nose for a count of 8 (do 4 if it’s too much, working up gradually to 20). As you exhale also through the nose for the same count, pull in at the navel to get all the air out. Invite each breath in with gratitude as you would a precious gift. Repeat 2 more times. In less then 1 to 2 minutes this practice helps the heart rate come back to an appropriate level and lowers blood pressure. It also normalizes the levels of adrenaline and cortisol in your body. (Prolonged stress produces harmful levels of these hormones)
. Of course it only works if you “do it.” The more you practice, the easier it becomes and the greater the benefits. Remember to take time to Breathe. © Louise Lavergne 2001-2008
www.joyfull-yoga.com; 899-0707 Louise is the owner of JoyFull Yoga LLC in Jacksonville where she offers group and private sessions. She is the yoga provider for Triune Integrative Medicine in Medford where she works with patients of Dr. Robin Miller. She is also a Motivational speaker. She has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for over 20 years.