Wendy's Yoga

Wendys Yoga February Newsletter

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:24:39 +0000

Welcome to my first Newsletter

It has been fun learning how to make this fun and informative newsletter. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to create one. This month you will learn about our Quantum Restorative Yoga, Surf, and Adventure Retreat in Costa Rica. You will also learn that chocolate in it’s “pure” form which is called “Cacao” is a superfood. There are many listed benefits and a recipe for raw chocolate coconut balls. Next learn about Camel Pose (Ustrasana), a full back bending posture that opens all 7 Chakras in your body. Learn the “how to” and the many benefits. Finally there is a page on inspiration.

If you would like to receive a monthly newsletter, please sign up and I will put you on the list.

Om Shanti

WendysYoga February Newsletter

The meaning of “Om”

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:10:07 +0000

It is believed that “OM” is the mother of all languages. Repetition of “OM” enables us to maintain mental and emotional calmness, overcome obstacles and enable understanding.

Cucumin and Tumeric Natually Blocks Cancer Growth

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:10:30 +0000

30th January 2012

By Anthony Gucciardi

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

Turmeric and curcumin have been highlighted as powerful anti-cancer substances in the past, but research has now shed even more light on the amazing ability of both turmeric and curcumin to actually block cancer growth. This is due to the unique ability of a main component in turmeric that is actually able to block an enzyme that promotes the spread of head and neck cancer.

Researchers at UCLA found that curcumin — the primary component in turmeric also responsible for its color — exhibited these cancer-blocking properties during a study involving 21 participants suffering from head and neck cancers. The subjects were given two chewable curcumin tablets containing 1,000 miligrams of the substance each. After administering the chewable curcumin tablets, an independent lab in Maryland was in charge of evaluating the results.

What the lab found was that the enzymes in the patients’ mouths responsible for promoting cancer spread and growth were inhibited by the curcumin supplementation. As a result, the curcumin intake halted the spread of the malignant cells. Curcumin has previously been found to reduce tumors by 81% in similarly shocking research, which also gives credence to the natural anti-cancer benefits of turmeric and curcumin intake.

While the benefits of turmeric have not been widely publicized in the United States, turmeric is known for its widespread use in many South Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Utilized as a spice in traditional dishes, many cultures have already fully recognized the powerful health-promoting aspects of turmeric. Perhaps the best part about turmeric is the fact that it is very cheap compared to highly ineffective cancer drugs that have actually been shown to worsen tumors conditions and kill patients. As more health professionals begin to realize the attributes of turmeric and curcumin, it is very possible that it could become as popular and widespread — if not more so– than super-nutrient vitamin D.

Reserve your spot today for our March Retreat!

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:18:03 +0000

Who’s ready for Yoga and massage on the ocean front?

I’m excited to announce we still have spaces left for the March 3-9 Restorative Vinyasa Yoga, Surf & Adventure Retreat here is beautiful Costa Rica.

Reserve your space now!

There are great flights available and the surf is perfect!

you will absolutley love this week!

Our Yoga & Surf Retreats made it to SurfGirl Magazine…Check it out!

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:06:36 +0000

Surfgirl Magazine

Wonderful posture for your hips

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:33:36 +0000

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

Step by Step

Begin on all fours, with your knees directly below your hips, and your hands slightly ahead of your shoulders. Slide your right knee forward to the back of your right wrist; at the same time angle your right shin under your torso and bring your right foot to the front of your left knee. The outside of your right shin will now rest on the floor. Slowly slide your left leg back, straightening the knee and descending the front of the thigh to the floor. Lower the outside of your right buttock to the floor. Position the right heel just in front of the left hip.

The right knee can angle slightly to the right, outside the line of the hip. Look back at your left leg. It should extend straight out of the hip (and not be angled off to the left), and rotated slightly inwardly, so its midline presses against the floor. Exhale and lay your torso down on the inner right thigh for a few breaths. Stretch your arms forward.

Then slide your hands back toward the front shin and push your fingertips firmly to the floor. Lift your torso away from the thigh. Lengthen the lower back by pressing your tailbone down and forward; at the same time, and lift your pubis toward the navel. Roll your left hip point toward the right heel, and lengthen the left front groin.

If you can maintain the upright position of your pelvis without the support of your hands on the floor, bring your hands to the top rim of your pelvis. Push heavily down. Against this pressure, lift the lower rim of your rib cage. The back ribs should lift a little faster than the front. Without shortening the back of your neck, drop your head back. To lift your chest, push the top of your sternum (at the manubrium) straight up toward the ceiling.

Stay in this position for a minute. Then, with your hands back on the floor, carefully slide the left knee forward, then exhale and lift up and back into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose). Take a few breaths, drop the knees to all-fours on another exhalation, and repeat with the legs reversed for the same length of time.

A Yoga Resolution

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:01:31 +0000

Happy New Year!

Even though we can start every day with the intention to make a stronger commitment to our soul’s purpose, the approach of a New Year feels like the most opportune time to do so. For one, this is a time when people around the world are making new decisions about their life.

What are you intending to change, grow with, or evolve towards this New Year? Here’s an idea?

Go to your first yoga class

The first class may be hard. I know, it sounds crazy, but whether or not you’ve done yoga before, your body may be tense. Tight muscles, restricted breath, and frustration MIGHT occur. It’s ok! The first 5 or so classes may feel this way, but as in everything it gets better. Listen to your body and your breathe. Know that you are welcome to take a break whenever and as many times as you need one. Everyday is different and everybody is different so tap in and listen to yourself. You don’t have to be like or look like anyone else. Honor yourself and your practice.

Namaste

A Benefit of Yoga

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:35:05 +0000

Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.~ B.K.S. Iyengar

Benefits of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:57:12 +0000

Juices

Nearly every health condition responds well to appropriate fruit and vegetable juices. A fresh juice is a great way to start the day and optimize your health. Fruit juices taste good, are nutritious and can be beneficial for your health because they are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients – natural bioactive compounds that work with other plant nutrients and dietary fiber.

The Top 5 healthiest juices overall are considered to be:

pomegranate
blueberry
Acai
Noni (doesn’t taste too good if 100%)
Cherry

If you are looking to boost your immune system, help reduce your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol and improve your heart, I recommend beet, carrot, celery, currant, spinach, grape, cherry and watermelon juices, with garlic and ginger added.

Other immune system-boosting juices include:

Kiwi
Cucumber
Wheatgrass
Orange
Lemon
Parsley

You can combine any of the above juices with soy or rice milk, plain yogurt, banana, blueberries and walnuts to create your own immune system-boosting smoothie. Adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to any juice or water will also help boost your immune system.

If you are taking medication and are deficient in potassium, magnesium, or calcium, add these juices: honeydew melon, cantaloupe, apricot, peach and broccoli.

If you have high blood pressure, I recommend three juice cocktails:

Carrot, parsley and celery juice
Lime juice and whey powders
Grape and carrot juice

To help reduce your cholesterol levels, I recommend these two juice cocktails:

Beet, blackberry, parsley and pineapple juice.
Carrot, apple and ginger

If you are only focusing on a healthy heart, I would recommend threes juice combos:

Carrot, pineapple and ginger
Parsley, alfalfa and pineapple
Watercress, parsley and grape

Whey can have a lot of sodium; buy the whey with the least amount of sodium. If you want a zesty juice cocktail, mix a cup of water, two ripe tomatoes, one tablespoon of tarragon, paprika, turmeric and cayenne. Add some basil leaves and the juice of a half-lemon, and mix well.

Like many fruit juices, pomegranate juice contains antioxidants, especiallypolyphenols. Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants at much higher levels than other fruit juices. Antioxidants are thought to provide several heart-protecting benefits, including reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol. Most studies have used a daily dose of 1.5 ounces of pomegranate juice to ensure maximum benefits.

If you want to create your own juice cocktail, here’s a list of other complementary juices to provide vitality and help lower your blood pressure:

Juice from green leafy veggies (think kale and spinach) are excellent sources of B-complex vitamins
Carrot, apple, ginger, orange and strawberry juices have been known to lower bad cholesterol
For natural zinc, drink ginger, turnip, parsley (even though it’s bitter tasting), garlic, or carrot juice
If you want to increase your potassium, drink parsley, garlic, spinach, cantaloupe and banana juice together
For more bioflavanoids, drink grape, parsley, lemon, or lime juices
For more vitamin C, drink kale, green pepper, or parsley juice
The best vitamin E juices for you are spinach, carrot, and asparagus
More magnesium could possibly raise your good cholesterol. Those juices are beet, garlic, parsley and spinach
Low on copper? Drink carrot, garlic, or ginger juice

Juices are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation. Fresh juices should be a part of a healthy diet, and avoid juices with added sugar. Make sure to read all labels for ingredients and choose 100% fruit juices not made from concentrate. Extra sugar means extra calories, and it is always better to eat your calories than to drink them.

Thoughts:

The cloudier the juice, the more nutritious it is
Always buy pasteurized juice because it can significantly reduce bacteria
Freshly squeezed juice contains more vitamin C than concentrate, canned, or frozen juices
Juices that have a high fructose-to-glucose ratio and that contain sorbital can aggravate the intestines, cause diarrhea or abdominal pain
Prune juice delivers more iron, zinc, fiber and niacin than any other juice
Raw juice is always healthier than pasteurized, but we are not sure it is worth the risk of ingesting bad bacteria
Organic juices have higher concentrations of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals
Juices from concentrate usually come from other countries, including China
To get the most benefits from drinking juice, seek out a wide variety of berries and other superfruits
Don’t trust brands, trust labels
Non-organic juices are likely to have trace amounts of pesticides
Don’t judge the quality of juice by how good it tastes because some of the healthiest juices taste bitter or not sweet
Eight ounces of pomegranate juice may have more than 30 grams of sugar, almost double two servings of cereal, but these sugars do not increase blood sugar levels. as other natural fruit sugar
Eat a salad or high-fiber foods before consuming juice from concentrate, because it can help your diet’s glycemic rating

Yoga Asana of the Week

admin — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:10:55 +0000

Ustrasana – Camel Pose

Step by Step

Lie prone on the floor. Stretch your legs back, tops of the feet on the floor. Spread your hands on the floor under your shoulders. Hug the elbows back into your body.

Press the tops of the feet and thighs and the pubis firmly into the floor.

On an inhalation, begin to straighten the arms to lift the chest off the floor, going only to the height at which you can maintain a connection through your pubis to your legs. Press the tailbone toward the pubis and lift the pubis toward the navel. Narrow the hip points. Firm but don’t harden the buttocks.

Firm the shoulder blades against the back, puffing the side ribs forward. Lift through the top of the sternum but avoid pushing the front ribs forward, which only hardens the lower back. Distribute the backbend evenly throughout the entire spine.

Hold the pose anywhere from 15 to 30 seconds, breathing easily. Release back to the floor with an exhalation.

Benefits

Strengthens the spine
Stretches the chest, lungs and abdomen
Firms the buttocks
Stimulates abdominal organs
Helps relieve stress and fatigue
Opens the heart and lungs
Soothes sciatica
Therapeutic for asthma
Traditional texts say the Ustrasana increases body heat, destroys disease and awakens Kundalini