Our health is determined by factors that are created (in part) from our environment. Imagine a spinning wheel in which we are the center or hub; at the outer rim (or periphery) is our natural environment and all its associated energies, e.g.; the sun, the air, water, soil etc. Within this are the spokes, our more immediate environment which includes the geographical area of the earth we live in and its climate and further in it becomes more specific, whether we live in the city or the country, our chosen profession and social relations etc. It is within these very environments that we think, plan and act every day.
So our thoughts and our actions could very well be considered “products” of our environment, as well as the food we eat. Our food becomes a concentrated form of the environment that we internalize three or more times per day. Our everyday thoughts and actions constitute our “lifestyle” and this lifestyle determines our choice of food. And the reverse is true, the foods we choose to eat, in turn affect our lifestyle (thoughts and actions).
Now consider this; our environment, our lifestyle and the foods we eat all combine to create and maintain our current state of health. When we get these things in balance, when our lifestyle and diet are in harmony with our environment, we will experience optimal health. If however, we allow them to become unbalanced or extreme, we lose our harmonious relationship with our environment and sickness will probably be the result. If we persist in this, we will surely develop serious illness and/or chronic disease.
The principles of natural healing are based on positive change and balance. Change, being the law of life, is inevitable and constant. It’s the motivating force and the order of the universe. Fortunately, as manifestations of the universe, we humans have the built-in ability to cause or initiate change through our choices. Each and every one of us is granted the inherent power to change direction, leaving sickness behind and embarking on the road to health and wellness. But first, for healing to begin, we must realize and accept that change is possible and act upon that realization.
The old adage “we are what we eat!” starts to ring true, our daily food and drink really are the actual source of our physical makeup. Our entire bodies, our blood, our cells, muscles, organs, tissues, bones and glands are sustained and renewed by the transformation of the minerals, proteins, lipids, enzymes, water, and other nutrients that we consume on a daily basis. Therefore, whenever we consider any aspect of our physical health, it is necessary that we carefully review the choices we have made in regard to what we put in our bodies.
People are beginning to wake up to the fact that many of today’s health problems are directly related to the repeated and continuous consumption of meat, eggs, cheese, poultry, and other animal-based foods. Cancers, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and a host of other chronic and deadly diseases are the result of two problems; quantity and quality. Let’s look at quantity; people are eating a lot more animal products now than they did several generations ago, far beyond what is reasonable even for meat eaters. Meats and other animal products have essentially become the mainstay of the modern American diet.
Looking at quality; today’s artificially inseminated, hormone boosted and antibiotic fed livestock bear little resemblance to their natural, grass fed, free range predecessors. The arrival of “Mad Cow” disease and the subsequent European community’s refusal to accept imports of hormone fed American beef emphasizes just how deadly (pun intended) serious these issues have become.
Commercially raised, indoor-caged poultry products, especially chickens and turkeys are becoming increasingly problematic; even more so since extensive advertizing has many people believing chicken and turkey to be “healthy” alternatives to red meat. These birds become so weak and susceptible to infections that they require regular doses of increasingly stronger antibiotics, just to keep them alive. Additionally, they are fed synthetic growth hormones to speed their growth and breast development. One result of these practices, according to one study, is that as up to 95% of the commercially raised chickens on their way to market have at least one type of cancer! Without a doubt, chickens from a modern poultry farm are not a health food as claimed by the industry.
Let’s just suppose someone we care about is facing a health crisis (and there might be more than one), and we know they are overly reliance on a diet of animal products. What can we do to help them change their situation into its opposite, one of healing and improving health? Obviously, the first step would be to encourage them to convert from an animal-based to a plant-based diet.
Contrary to animal products, plant-based foods enhance, rather than inhibit, healing and regeneration of tissue. Daily dietary choices are the central issue in our lifestyle as a whole. They can be viewed as a reflection of our priorities and our way of looking at society, nature, and the universe. Dietary change, combined with an understanding of harmony and balance, can serve as the focus, initiating a positive change in our lifestyle. Unhealthy choices can be reviewed and changed into healthy ones, and then they can be brought into proper alignment with natural harmony, befitting us and our environment.
Most people are not aware that there are well over 50 toxic chemicals found in the average home in the US. Toxins that can, over time, raise havoc with your body! It’s no wonder why more and more people are beginning to suffer from asthma, hormonal problems, headaches, depression and frequent illnesses, fatigue, etc. Many of the most commonly used cleaning products in kitchens and bathrooms throughout America contain harmful toxins that are stored in the fatty tissues of your brain via inhalation and skin absorption during usage.
It’s not only the cleaning products found in most homes that are dangerous; it’s also cleaning products for your body (so called, “body care products”) that are potentially harmful. Shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, hair colorings, body washes, deodorants, shaving lotions and after-shaves, make up, mouth washes and the list goes on…
So it cannot be stressed enough, the importance of checking the labels on all the products used for your home and your body. Educate yourself and avoid any products with words that you don’t know or understand especially if there is a warning label on it.
Most of the suspected products’ labels bear a “signal word,” such as Danger, Warning or Caution, providing some indication of a product’s toxicity. Products labeled Danger or Poison are typically the most hazardous and should be avoided; those containing a Warning label are moderately hazardous, and formulas listing a Caution label are considered slightly toxic. It’s always best to remain on the safe side and only choose products that are nontoxic enough that they don’t require any of the signal words above on their label. Keep in mind that the signal word is often found in a phrase that describes the nature of the threat to your health, such as “may cause skin irritation,” “flammable,” “vapors harmful,” or “may cause burns on contact.”
A good “rule of thumb” is to ask yourself, “would I put this in my mouth or am I willing to taste it”, if not, then don’t on on your body. Studies have shown it can take as little as 26 seconds for whatever you put on your body to be absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream.
These ingredients in cleaning and “body care” products vary in the type and intensity of the threat to our health that they pose. Some will cause acute, and/or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, even chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic or long-term (accumulating) effects such as cancer.
Among the most dangerous cleaning products known are corrosives, like drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and acidic toilet bowl cleaners. These corrosive chemicals can cause severe burns on eyes, skin and, if ingested (God forbid), on the throat and esophagus. Next in line are products that list active ingredients of chlorine or ammonia, which individually can cause respiratory and skin irritation; and they will create highly toxic fumes if accidentally mixed together.
More common chemicals that you should be aware of, and consider avoiding include:
Alcohol – Alcohol is mostly found in mouthwashes, creams, moisturizers, lubricants and many commercial hair and skin products. Alcohol derivatives by themselves can severely impact your skin. Alcohol has a drying effect to the skin, and has even been linked to mouth and throat cancers.
There are alternatives alcohols that are actually safe for your skin and health. They are known as fatty alcohols, such as:
• Cetyl Alcohol – Derived from coconuts.
• Stearyl Alcohol – Also derived from coconut oil.
• Cetearyl Alcohol – Derived from natural oils.
Aluminum – Aluminum is found in many commercial skin deodorant and antiperspirants. Its compounds have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory disorders and breast cancer. When used as an aerosol spray, it can cause almost immediate brain damage, because it’s readily absorbed through your nasal/sinus passages into your brain.
Butane/Propane – Butane and Propane are colorless and odorless gases that are used in many over-the-counter cosmetic and personal products. Formulations of various cleansing products, shaving creams and hair conditioners often include these compressed gases.
In extreme doses, oxygen deficiency can occur, which can lead to asphyxiation. Butane and Propane are known to be toxic for the environment and dangerously flammable.
Diethanolamine (DEA) – Diethanolamine is a carcinogenic substance used as a “wetting agent” and added to confer a creamy texture and foaming action to most lotions, creams, shampoos and cosmetics, making them more easily absorbed by your skin. It becomes extremely toxic when mixed with other ingredients in certain products, causing a bad carcinogen reaction that is likely responsible for stomach, liver and bladder cancers.
Artificial Flavorings and Colorings – There is a kaleidoscope of colored dyes available to create any color combination meant to make any household or edible product more appealing. These artificial flavorings and colorings are found in nearly everything, from toothpastes and mouthwashes to flavored cough syrups and children’s medicines.
These harmful dyes cause changes at the cellular level, which are carcinogenic, and highly suspect of causing cancer. Children consuming such products often become hyperactive.
It’s best to completely avoid these artificial ingredients in foods and other products for health reasons; not only are they are toxic, they lack nutritional value.
Propylene Glycol – Propylene Glycol is actually a form of anti-freeze for many household products. It is found in processed foods, pet food, laundry detergents, floor wax, paints, deodorants, shaving creams/gels, shampoos and conditioners.
Purchasing a bottle of Propylene Glycol has its own a warning label that says “Avoid contact with skin.” Even at low levels of concentration, this solvent has found to inhibit skin cell growth, cause skin irritations, inflammations, certain types of dermatitis along with liver and kidney damage.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is found in most detergents, stain removers, carpet cleaners, dish soaps, shampoos, bubble baths and toothpastes.
This is another type of solvent and is a cheap sort of foaming agent which, over time, builds-up in your heart, lungs, liver and brain. It can also cause cataracts and lead to abnormal eye development in children especially those under the age of six.
Additionally, it’s commonly used as a cleaning agent in the automotive industry. Car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers are some common examples. SLS breaks doen grease, attacking all greasy surfaces and it is highly corrosive.
Recommended whenever possible and practical…
Try to use safe, simple household ingredients like pure soap, water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and borax; when aided by a little “elbow grease” and a coarse scrubbing sponge anyone can take on most household cleaning chores. Plus, they can save you lots of money that would ordinarily be wasted on unnecessary, specialized and toxic cleaners!
Part 3 of this series continues with “Some unexpected benefits of eating a plant-based diet.”
First,
A lot of people who claim to be vegetarian eat more than simple plant-based foods and a little research will show that there are many different types of vegetarian diets and the four most common ones are:
1.Vegan – Strictly plant based: No animal flesh, no eggs, and no dairy products are allowed.
2.Lacto-vegetarian – Mostly plant-based: No animal flesh or eggs, but dairy products are OK.
3.Lacto-ovo-vegetarian – Partly plant-based: No animal flesh but dairy products and eggs are OK.
4.Pescatarian – Questionably whether vegetarian (The Vegetarian Society, does not recognize pescatarians as true vegetarians): Pescatarians eat no animal flesh except seafood; dairy products and eggs are optional.
The rest of the text in this article (and the preceding two articles) applies to veganism or a strict plant-based diet as opposed to the “vegetarian” types (2, 3, & 4) mentioned above.
Research
In an analysis published in 2009 in the American Journal of Cardiology, researchers noted that plant-based diets are associated with:
• Lower levels of triglycerides
• Lower concentrations of inflammatory markers such as C-reative protein (CRP)
• Lower blood pressure
• Decreased body weight and body mass index (BMI)
• Decreased risk of premature death from any cause, including heart disease
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Better blood sugar control in patients with diabetes
The heart benefits of eating more plant foods are well-established by large-scale studies such as the “Nurses’ Health Study” and the “Health Professionals Follow-up Study.” These studies show that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables have a 20% reduced risk of heart disease and a 27% reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, especially stroke.
The American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada say that plant-based diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Vegans also have substantially lower rates of the following health problems:
• Heart disease
• Blood cholesterol levels
• Blood pressure
• Hypertension
• Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes
• Prostate cancer
• Colon cancer
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit organization of doctors and others promoting preventive medicine, recommends a quality plant-based diet for the treatment and prevention of many health conditions.
Some of the world’s populations are known to have extraordinary long, healthy and happy lives. There are areas in the world where disease is virtually unknown, even in the oldest persons. Studies have shown that their exceptional health is largely attributed to low-calorie, plant-based, whole foods diets. Genetics are ruled out as a significant factor because when these same people are exposed to Western-style diets they quickly develop the same diseases common to Westerners.
Okay, so here are some unexpected benefits of eating a plant-based diet.
• You’ll be doing a huge favor for the environment: Most people don’t realize it, but our insatiable appetite for animal protein contributes 50% more greenhouse gases than our planes, trains, trucks, cars and ships? Needless to say, our environment benefits greatly every time someone cuts animal foods out of their diet.
• You’ll feel more connected to your higher (or spiritual) self: Not getting nearly enough fiber is one pitfall of eating the standard American diet, and that equates to sluggishness. When provided with the valuable fiber found in a plant-based diet your body is better able to cleanse itself and space is opened up within. Whenever someone upgrades to a plant-based diet, this naturally brings about a desire to connect to our source and our highest self. When we can be our truest selves then we are in the best position to share our inherent gifts with others.
• Compassion naturally arises in someone when they stop eating meat: This isn’t meant to imply that you didn’t care about animals before, but I’ll bet you didn’t know (and probably didn’t want to know) what was actually happening to the cows, pigs, and chickens before they turned up in your supermarket. Two billion animals suffer and then are killed every week just so they can show up on our dinner plates. It’s unconscionable.
• You’ll be saving money: By eating an assortment of veggies, whole grains, beans and legumes as the base for your meals is actually quite cost effective. That difference makes up for the slightly higher priced organic produce, you’ll be comfortable knowing it’s an investment in your long-term health and that can mean big savings.
• Creativity is enhanced: Cleaning up your diet and switching to plant-based foods will bring about a profound change in your creative expression. Your thinking will be clearer and new and inspiring ideas will come in abundance.
• You’ll lose unwanted weight: Nearly all plant-based foods are much less caloric and very dense nutritionally, a sure “win-win” situation for weight loss. You’ll likely never feel deprived when eating this way, and quite possibly you’ll feel satisfied more quickly because your body is telling your brain it’s getting what it needs.
In summary: Contrary to popular myth, vegans have healthy bones and higher blood protein levels than omnivores. Vegans in fact average fewer nutrient deficiencies than average omnivores. But there are a couple important nutritional considerations. There are two vitamins not readily available in plants: vitamins D and B-12…Unless you live in the extreme northern (or southern) hemisphere, you can get ample vitamin D from the sun, and very little sun exposure is needed to provide your body’s needs. A natural source of vitamin B-12 can be found in nutritional yeasts. One brand of nutritional yeast, Red Star, has been tested and shown to contain active vitamin B-12. Those sensitive to other yeasts can also use it. Also recommended for vegans are algae-based long chain omega 3 fatty acids.
Part 2 of this series continues with “Reasons why you should eat plant-based diet.”
Ever since the introduction of documentaries such as “Forks Over Knives” (click on – trailer), “Vegucated” (trailer), and “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” (full documentary), American’s are being exposed to the ever growing list of benefits of eating a plant-based diet. At first the claims may seem doubtful that a plant-based diet will greatly decrease your chances of Cardiovascular disease (aka heart disease), reduce or eliminate your risk of cancer, help you to shed those unwanted pounds. Additionally, plant-based diet has been shown to be an effective solution for type II diabetics and those with osteoporosis have seen it reversed. Simply stated, a diet high in animal protein is disastrous to our health, while a plant-based (vegan) diet prevents disease and is restorative to our health. And doctors and nutritional scientists say this with peer-reviewed (the gold standard of studies) science to back them up.
People are also finding that going vegan is much more than being selective about what you are eating. When you convert to a plant-based diet you are literally saving hundreds of animals’ lives each year, you’re helping preserve our Earth’s fragile environment and you’re being kind to your body in the process. You’ll experience a fundamental philosophical shift in your mind, body and spirit, resulting in an overall transformation of yourself. It will change your life.
Now on to the reasons why you should eat plant-based diet…
•Eating plant-based foods will be a tremendous aid for you to attain, maintain or regain an optimal state of health. Undeniable medical evidence has now shown conclusively that a whole foods plant-based diet is instrumental in preventing and/or reversing a plethora of diseases and conditions, including inflammation, anxiety, depression, Lupus, MS, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, and the list goes on. The China Study which surveyed over 6,500 people from over 65 countries remains the largest and most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted and proves beyond a doubt that a plant-based diet is prolonging lives. After the publication of this book, there’s not much room left for debate.
•Cancer prevention. Because Cancers originate from your body’s damaged cells, it is critical to preserve the health of those cells and in today’s world this is both a challenge and your responsibility. “The science base is very strong that fruits and vegetables are protective for all the gastrointestinal cancers and all the smoking-related cancers,” to quote Tim Byers, professor of preventive medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver.
•Constipation and bowel disorders. What a worthwhile benefit a plant-based diet is for a country that spends millions on pharmaceuticals, supplements, vitamins, herbs and laxatives all so that you can loosen your stool and become regular. This condition can be prevented or reversed simply by changing your diet; when you eat a healthy plant-based diet, regularity is greatly enhanced, resulting in much lower incidence of colon cancer and other diseases of the colon.
•Compassion for animals. As stated above, each and every individual will be saving hundreds of animals from inhumane treatment and slaughter by going vegan. There is no such thing as a ‘kind slaughter’ as some in the meat industry would have you believe and this even includes those animals that graze exclusively. The documentary “Earthlings” (
This post begins a three part series discussing the advantages and benefits of a plant-based diet:
Part 1 – The philosophical and ethical reasons to eat a plant-based diet instead of consuming animal products.
Part 2 – Reasons why everyone should consider eating a plant-based diet.
Part 3 – Some unexpected benefits of eating A plant-based diet
We begin with Part 1 – As yogis, yoginis and students of yoga begin to seek liberation, they strive to perfect their actions and in so doing they quickly come to realize that every action is preceded by a thought. To perfect an action, thoughts must first be perfected. So, you might ask, what are perfect thoughts? Perfect thoughts are ones that are devoid of selfish motives; they’re free of anger, greed, hate, jealousy, etc.
Adopting a compassionate vegetarian diet is a good place to start if you truly intend to move toward a transcendental reality and have a lighter impact on the planet. Not everyone practices yoga asana (poses) every day, but everyone eats. And therefore everyone has the opportunity to practice compassion three times a day when they sit down to eat. This is one of the main reasons so many yoga practitioners and students choose make the change and become vegetarians.
This article is focused primarily on ethical vegetarians and foremost in the list of reasons they eat only plant-based food is in order to show compassion toward animals and other sentient beings which in turn benefits the entire planet. There are those who say they are vegetarians but still consume milk products, eggs, and fish. These are actually not strict vegetarians but “lacto-ovo” vegetarians (milk & eggs) and “pescatarians” (includes fish) and ethical vegetarians do not consume any dairy products, eggs, or fish because these are not plant-based and eating them causes great suffering to other beings and the planet. Vegans are ethical vegetarians who endeavor to extend their ethics to include not just what they eat but everything they use: including (but not limited to) food, clothing, medicine, fuel, and entertainment. When using the term vegetarianism in this article, keep in mind that refers to ethical vegetarianism or veganism.
Many, if not most meat eaters defend their food choices by claiming that it is natural, because in a natural, wild state animals eat one another. Whenever people bring this up as a rationale for eating meat, they need to be reminded that the animals that end up on their table aren’t those who eat one another in the wild. The animals that are exploited for food aren’t the lions, tigers, and bears of the world. We eat the passive ones, the vegan animals that, when given free choice, would never even think of eating the flesh of other animals, although sadly, they are forced to do just that on today’s factory farms where they are fed “enriched feed” containing dead, rendered animal parts.
The majority of Americans believe a plant-based (or vegan) diet is difficult to follow. But what does difficult mean when compared to suffering and eventually dying from heart disease caused by an animal diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol? Even so, many people will still choose to go through invasive bypass surgery or have a breast, colon section, or kidney removed. And/or they may opt to take powerful pharmaceutical drugs for the rest of their lives rather than change their diets – all because they mistakenly think veganism is drastic and extreme. Do these who choose to eat meat ever consider how difficult it is for the animals who suffer degrading confinement and cruel slaughter, dying for their dining convenience and the satisfaction of their appetites?
When yoga practitioners and students begin following the yamas prescribed in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, they begin to realize that suffering is inevitable only to those who are unenlightened (or turn a blind eye) about the truth, which exists to connect us all. Real responsibility means realizing that our own actions bring about the situation we live in and that is reflected in the first yama “Ahimsa” (non-harming). Yoga practice has the potential to heal the one common disease that we are all suffering from; the disease of disconnection. War, destruction of the environment, extinction of species, and even domestic violence, all of these originate as a result of the disease of disconnection. Others can only be abused and exploited by those who are disconnected from them and have no idea about the potent consequences inherent in their own actions. When someone feels connected, they know it’s them, as well as other living things, who will suffer from the anguish they inflict.
Eating meat and consuming animal products is a long-standing (and generally accepted) habit in American culture. Many Western yoga practitioners will argue that they have to eat meat and that they need the protein to keep up the strength required for a physically challenging asana practice. Ironically, Sri K. Pattabhi
In addition to regular (active) yoga poses, restorative yoga has its own unique benefits and is quite useful for establishing an overall well balanced yoga practice. There are a variety of static restorative asanas (poses); each one has its own benefits and energizing qualities. Generally speaking, restorative poses relieve anxiety and stress by transporting students to a space where they can experience a deep state of relaxation. They also stimulate and soothe organs, plus they improve concentration. A restorative yoga practice is commonly recommended for calming and grounding.
With the hectic pace of daily life, it is commonplace for our sympathetic nervous systems to be in overdrive, prompting our bodies to remain in a constant state of heightened alert. Our bodies can’t distinguish the difference between the stresses created from work and actual danger such as the threat of a pit-bull attack. In order to restore it normal composure, our body needs to be able to relax and return to its natural dependence on the parasympathetic nervous system. Restorative yoga asanas support our muscles, bones and connective tissues with props so that they can relax and release built up tension. As a result of this release of tension, our nervous system sends fewer demands to our brain, our mind quiets down and our body leaves everything to the parasympathetic nervous system. When we encourage this to happen through restorative yoga our heart rate is lowered, blood pressure is reduced and our breath slows down.
Restorative poses can be used to target specific areas and each has its own unique benefits. Forward bends will tend to have a particularly calming effect. An example of a restorative forward bend is supported Child’s Pose (Balasana). The easiest way to feel the calming effects of this pose is simply to try it – all you need is a standard yoga bolster or you can use a large pillow. Position the bolster or pillow length-wise on the floor. Then, beginning with a kneeling position, you place the bolster or pillow directly in front of you between your knees, which are set at hip width apart. Lengthen yourself over the bolster and turn your head to one side and rest it on the bolster or pillow. Remain in the pose for 10-15 minutes switching sides midway through. When you come out of the asana, take note the effects it had on your energy level.
Another effective restorative pose, Reclined Bound Angle (Supta Baddha Konasana), opens the front of the body. To prepare for the pose, you’ll need to prop up the bolster on a 4 in. x 6 in. x 9 in. yoga block (set on the 6” height). Position the block about 1/3 down from the top of your bolster, which should create a gentle angle. Sit directly in front of the bolster and slowly lower down to recline, gently arching your back. Place the soles of your feet together and if your knees don’t quite reach the floor, prop them up with blankets or blocks. Some students prefer placing another blanket over their body and/or using an eye pillow to totally relax and fully experience the comfort of the pose. Allow your arms to rest along your sides, palms facing up. This is a pose of surrender, and although you might feel a bit exposed at first, after staying in the pose for just a few minutes you will develop an open and receptive disposition. Hold the pose for 10-15 minutes, then slowly and carefully roll onto your right side and assume a fetal position (if you are pregnant, roll to the left side), and then slowly push yourself up into a comfortable seated position. Again, take note of how this pose has affected your overall energy and your whole body.
Restorative yoga is a good countermeasure to offset the stressful, busy lifestyles that we all lead. Just like you always take time each day to eat and sleep, so you should arrange a 15 minute break to take time to relax with these and other restorative asanas. If you do, you’ll find your muscles will become less tight, your mind calmer and more focused, and the stress and anxiety in your life will be relieved. This is a great compliment to regular (static or dynamic) yoga asana practice.
In Sutra II.33 Patanjali says: “vitarka-badhane pratipaksha-bhavanam” and this means principles that run contrary to yamas and niyamas are to be countered with the knowledge of discrimination. When one has thoughts of violence, untruthfulness, stealing, indulgences, accumulation, lack of cleanliness, discontent by greed, and anger or delusion, the result is dissatisfaction/sorrow. In general, negative thoughts are ones that negate yama and niyama, ethical norms and individual observances. Therefore, for the purpose of attaining a peaceful mind, yoga philosophy suggests two invaluable techniques, to be applied when one is in the midst of experiencing any of the thoughts listed above. The first is cultivating the opposite, positive type of thoughts. Iyengar1 describes negative thoughts, such as, violence, falsehood, stealing, non-chastity and greed as ‘pratipaksha bhavana.’ On the other hand, the opposite of these are cleanliness, contentment, fervor or dedicated practice, self-study and surrender to the Universal Spirit, God or faith, described as ‘paksha bhavana.’ The former, negative thoughts run contrary to ethical norms or yamas, and the latter, positive thoughts, are consistent with following individual disciplines, the niyamas. For cultivating peaceful states of mind it is important to follow yamas and niyamas and that is helped by nurturing thinking that is wholesome, based on right knowledge and awareness.
There is an ancient Indian adage that compares consciousness to a lamp at the door. It shines both in the house and out into the world. It makes one aware of the external (out there) and the internal (in here) worlds. Cultivated awareness is about creating a relationship between these two. In this context, in the sutra referred to above, Patanjali reiterates the importance of adhering to the ethical norms and individual disciplines while attending to the practice of the replacing habitual negative thoughts and tendencies with positive ones, attending to the weaknesses in the body/mind by nurturing strengthening options.
The Vibrations of Thoughts…
Everyone’s body is physiologically tied to their thoughts, beliefs and attitudes. To be healthy, one needs to recognize the intimate connection that exists between the mind, body and spirit. Cultivating positive thinking is a first step in raising your personal vibration.
Recent scientific studies, and state-of-the-art scientific instruments, are being used to measure the effects of both positive and negative thinking with respect to disease and optimal health. Never doubt that negative thoughts have just as much power as positive ones. Negative thinking can slowly wear you down, resulting in a host of mental, physical and emotional problems and conditions; including poor self-esteem, depression and even illness.
Do you ever wonder how one person can succumb to suffering during a particular circumstance, while another person will thrive in the same situation? Nine times out of ten it simply boils down to their mental attitude!
Whenever you choose a thought (and your thoughts are chosen by you), your brain cells are affected. These cells continuously vibrate, sending off electromagnetic waves. The more you concentrate, focusing on those thoughts, the greater the amplitude of vibration of those cells, and the electromagnetic waves, subsequently, become stronger.
Positive thinking can raise your vibration up to 10 Hz (vibrations per second), whereas negative thinking can lower your vibration by as much as 15 Hz. These measurements come from extensive research done by Bruce Tainio of Tainio Technology in Cheney, Washington. His company developed new equipment that can measure the bio-frequency of both humans and the foods they eat. Mr. Tainio has conclusively shown that the number one way to start feeling better is to start thinking positively.
Begin by striving to establish and maintain the positive attitude that you will be triumphant in the end, no matter what the circumstances might be. To do this, first begin by observing your thoughts and recognize habitual thought patterns. Remain detached from them and pay close attention whenever a negative thought enters your stream of consciousness. As soon as you realize this is happening, immediately replace the negative thought with a positive one.
There is an old saying: “You get what you expect.” In other words, if you think you are going to fail at something, you will probably fail and the reverse is also true; if you think you’ll succeed your chances of being victorious will greatly improve. Why? Because your energy follows your thoughts and you begin to create or manifest what you desire and expect. By remaining positive you will prove to yourself and to others that you are a victor, not a victim.
Would you like to stand straighter or appear taller? Then read on, yoga can help. No matter what your actual height is, by correcting your posture you’ll add the attractiveness of extra elegance and poise. In reality, yoga is not going to make you grow, but it can noticeably lengthen your spine, improve your posture, making you look taller, thinner, and that will surely give you more confidence.
Postural problems are often caused by spending too much time each day slumped at your desk, hunched over a computer terminal at work, or driving a car. Confidently carrying yourself upright and walking with a nice stride, raises your stature in both height and overall appearance. And there are some yoga asanas (poses) that are sure to help you achieve that desired improvement and make you look slimmer, taller and more agile.
Actualizing that near perfect posture with yoga asana…
Certain yoga poses when practiced regularly will not only tend to improve/correct your posture, but they may well be the solution to help you when shedding those extra pounds off your weight chart. Hold each and every asana for a few seconds in the beginning and gradually increase the time to a minute as you progress. The longer you can retain a yoga asana in its correct form (with focused attention and proper breathing), the greater your reward will be.
Here are some asanas to practice for postural improvements…
Paschima Namaskarasana (Reverse Prayer Pose) – This asana of doing namaskar from the opposite (back) side strengthens the shoulders, shoulder blades, arms all the way down to the frontal finger joints. When you practice this pose regularly your upper back and shoulders become more flexible and strong, lengthening and straightening your spine, as well.
Marjariasana (Cat/Cow Pose) – Based on a cat’s spine stretching exercises, regular practice of Cat/Cow Asana keeps your spine supple and strong, helping to ward off any injury. It relieves any tension in your lower back, purifies the blood and increases its flow to the spine and the internal organs.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog Pose) – This dog-like stretching asana focuses mainly on the upper back. It calms the brain, reducing stress and depression when it’s done regularly. Downward Dog helps to eliminate back pain, insomnia, fatigue and even relieves menopause symptoms. Along strengthening the hands, legs, shoulders and calves this asana has also proven to be therapeutic for asthma, sciatica, and high blood pressure.
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Dog Pose) – This asana greatly improves your overall posture while it strengthening your wrists, arms and spine. It energizes your chest, lungs, shoulders and abdomen while stimulating your internal organs. Regular practice firms up your buttocks.
Parivrtta parsvakonasana (Side Angle Pose with a Twist) – This asana plays an considerable role in healing, stretching and strengthening your legs, ankles, groins, chest, lungs, shoulders, spine and abdomen. Regular practice enhances stamina, improves digestion (eliminates acidity) and restores proper balance.
Purvottanasana (Inclined Plane Pose) – Done on a slanting plank, this pose strengthens your wrists, arms and legs. Furthermore, it works on your chest, shoulders and the front of your ankles. It also works well to offset fatigue.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose) – This pose centers on strengthening your wrists, ankles, thighs, groins, shoulders, spine, chest and your stomach. It’s extremely helpful in improving posture; strengthening back muscles, hip flexors and it activates the internal organs in the abdomen.
It is common knowledge that yoga is now a well established (and complementary) approach to managing a wide range of neurological and orthopedic afflictions. And the effectiveness of yoga applies even to the easing of sciatic nerve pain.
Along with being an excellent solution to alleviate pain and improve range of motion, regular yoga practice also works well to relieve the torment for those who suffer from sciatica, a pain (often intense) in the lower back running all the way down the leg. Yoga asanas (poses) that focus on the twisting and bending of the spine combined with stretching and strengthening of the muscles greatly helps to improve both spinal alignment and overall flexibility, this generally results in the reduction of the pressure on the sciatic nerve itself. These benefits are amplified when yoga practice is complemented by medical therapy.
What actually is Sciatica?
Sciatica is generally symptomatic of orthopedic/neurological conditions such as a herniated disk, lumber spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, actual sciatic nerve injury and/or piriformis syndrome. Sciatic nerve compression results and that cause inflammation accompanied by pain and limited of movement. The Sciatic nerve is the largestand longest single nerve in the human body, originating in the lower spine and extending all the way down the back of the leg to the toes. Sciatic nerve pain is typically felt in the lower back, subsequently radiating into the buttock and down the back of the leg.
Yoga benefits for Sciatica relief…
Sciatic pain often hampers daily activities and may even become debilitating to the point of leading to a sedentary life for those that suffer the condition. The more movement is restricted by the pain, the worse the muscles stiffen and that further complicates the problems. Alternatively, gentle yoga asanas stretch and relax the affected muscles, promoting greater flexibility and improving the body range of movement.
Regular yoga practice will help achieve:
• Improved spinal stability, alignment and posture.
• The release of undue nerve compression and inflammation.
• Strengthening of the muscles of the spine, hips, groin and inner thighs.
• Increases sense of body balance.
• Stimulation of the nervous system to function optimally.
• Improved blood circulation to the back, hips and legs providing sufficient nutrients and oxygen to muscles.
Recommended yoga poses for relieving the pain of sciatica:
• Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana): Strengthens the lower back and hips. The stretching of the muscles from this area releases the tension and improves muscle functioning and imparts improved range of motion.
• Locust Pose (Salabhasana): This asana has a therapeutic application, soothing the sciatic nerve pain. This back bending posture stretches the muscles of the spine and buttocks, releasing tension and increasing the blood supply to hip area.
• Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana): Strengthens the spine and firming the buttocks providing com
According to results of a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health – “Yoga is beneficial for those planning to quit smoking”…And, this is no longer conjecture but a scientifically proven fact. Yoga is a good complementary therapy for cessation of smoking.
The leading preventable cause of death worldwide is addiction to nicotine. Nearly 6 million people die each year as a result of cigarette smoking, both from direct tobacco use and/or exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking is associated with a host of adverse health related conditions such lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, heart disease and stroke, to mention a few. In addition to these health consequences, nicotine use contributes too many troublesome effects on social and psychological well-being of smokers as well as non-smokers.
Research has shown that 70% of smokers who attempt to quit do so without the use of evidence-backed programs and 90% of those will relapse. Cessation programs are readily available to smokers, but they remain largely under-utilized, mostly because smokers are unaware of them. In order to bolster cessation attempts and ultimately increase success rates, smokers need to be made aware that safe, effective, and accessible means of quitting are available and yoga is certainly one of them.
Yoga has shown great promise in helping smokers to end their addiction because it deals with emotional stress while at the same time reducing the nicotine withdrawal symptoms that commonly arise.
The hassles of trying to quit smoking…
Although there are effective strategies for smoking cessation quitting can still be tough. The onset of nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, headache and insomnia are often quite difficult to manage. Therefore, most smokers fail in their attempt to quit smoking successfully. It is important to realize that quitting smoking is not one day affair but the result of good planning, a focused approach and a well controlled mind. Yoga can help overcome the obstacles most smokers encounter when they begin a smoking cessation plan.
According to American Public Health Association, yoga based intervention, with an emphasis on meditation and the help of an experienced practitioner, can manage emotional stress and help cope with the various withdrawal symptoms that are bound to arise after quitting smoking. Quitting smoking is emotionally and physically challenging, but thankfully, yoga practice has the power to address both these issues.
How yoga helps to cope with nicotine cravings…
A regular smoker’s body is habituated to receive doses of nicotine multiple times during the course of a day and that leads to nicotine dependency and addiction. When you stop smoking, the body generates its own reactions due to the absence of nicotine and this is what’s commonly known as ‘nicotine cravings’. Finding ways to deal with tobacco cravings is the biggest challenge you’ll face when you are trying to quit smoking. Fortunately yoga is there to calm the mind, control frequent mood swing, promote a sense of patience, increase your ability to listen to your body and enables you to exercise a greater sense of control. For instance, whenever a strong tobacco craving strikes, deep breathing exercises and yoga asana can help immensely to deal with stress, resulting in a reduction of the urge to smoke.
Using yoga to combat mental/emotional stress…
Some people have a harder time then others when quitting smoking. The frequent nicotine carvings that are associated with smoking cessation usually provoke a state of anxiety and stress. Yoga practice, as a complementary stress-reduction technique, helps to combat mental/emotional stress. The study referenced above states that yoga practice reduces perceived stress, negative impact, and anxiety among women smokers who want to quit. Yoga practices including regulated breathing, and focused attention are known improve mood and promote inner peace.
Yoga also helps to restore lung health…
Everyone knows that smoking has a devastating impact on your lungs and their functioning. However, regular practice of yoga is a practical way to take care of your lung’s health. Yoga opens the lungs and stimulating lung tissue, improving their functioning capacity. Restoration of lung health subsequently helps to improve success rates for those determined to quit smoking.