Asthma Help - Love the Exhale!

Every year it seems more people I know have asthma. I'm not sure if it's age, diet, environment, or something totally different.


Regardless there is a quick breathing technique that can be very helpful:

Inhale through the nostrils and take long slow exhales through the mouth with a straw. The inhales remain through the nose, but each exhale imagine a feather on the end of the straw and breath out so smoothly and slowly that this imaginary feather barely moves. Use the abdominals to gently lengthen the out breath. Then release the belly and let the inbreath come in naturally. Do this 10-12 times.

Many people diagnosed with asthma focus on the inhale which is the first mistake. An inhale has nowhere to go if a full exhale hasn't preceded it! So exhale deep and long first. This will also slow the heart rate and lower anxiety which easily aggravates an asthmatic condition.

Finally, when inhaling don't force it; just relax the belly and the breath will deepen as the exhales deepen.


By the way, this technique is wonderful for anyone looking to calm down and release tension.

Best of luck!

Kris

Yoga is no laughing matter!! Or is it.... - Laughing Yoga

"My karma ran over my dogma.... "

"Some people talk about finding God, as if He or She could get lost."

"When two psychic friends met, one said: 'You are fine. How am I ?' "

(Jokes complements of http://www.swamij.com/jokes.htm.)

Reader's Digest reminds us in it's monthly column, "Laughter is the Best Medicine." This is not just a catching title; it's true!

Mayo Clinic sites various benefits of laughter such as stimulating the organs, increasing endorphins, relaxes the body while giving it a work out, increases circulation, aids with digestion, improves the immune system, and acts as a natural pain killer. Not to mention the fact that it's just plain fun!

In Hal Urban's book, Life's Greatest Lessons, he shares stories of how Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein used humor and play to break the tension of too much thinking. "[Edison not only maintained] hundreds of notebooks full of scientific equations, he filled several others with nothing buy jokes." As for Einstein, just take a look at the above photo and tell me this man didn't know how to have a good time.

So we all could use a good dose of laughter everyday, but what it that's just not happening? One suggestion is to do Laughing Yoga or go to the bookstore and find a comic book that really tickles you. (I've checked the web for joke sites, but found that the majority of them focused on slamming others.) Laughter Yoga offers a means to see if there is a Laughter Club near you. If not, think about starting one or at least rent some funny movies. One of my all time favorites is The Princess Bride.

Ho-Ho-Ho-Ha-Ha-Ha,

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

What do Being Sick and Meditation have in common?

Dealing with my first cold in three years--ironically I came down with it at the tail end of a Florida vacation--I've noticed something odd about illness. Everything else seems to disappear. If someone has a fever, stuffy nose, or constant cough, there's little (if any) energy to think about anything or anyone else. The mind seems to crave relaxation and quiet. Personally I find a bath with my ears submerged while repeating inwardly, "I allow my mind to relax and be at peace," does wonders to relieve mental congestion.

Point is our typical thoughts disappear, at least mine do. Things that used to seem ever so important drop away as all inner resources are about healing. I realize this is only true for those that stay home from work to nourish themselves. I've been sick while caring for a baby and a toddler; let's just say that paints quite a different picture. But to stay in bed with some tea and allow your eyes to shut when they like and just to focus on the bodies needs is somehow meditative.

Now before you think I've gone off the deep end, let me explain. When we meditate, there is a hum or lightness to the body. The observer or witness takes over and thoughts are seen, but no longer control us. As meditation continues, a sense of calm inner peace soaks through us.

If we fight being ill, which I've done, the resistance builds and tension is felt everywhere. If we allow the illness to be there while focusing on nourishing the body and bringing it comfort, along with this acceptance is that same meditative detachment from the body, that same observation and peace.

Since I've been healthy for quite a while and love being in Florida, this particular illness baffles me. Being one that likes to learn from all of life's experiences, I look back on the vacation. I stretched my body every morning, skipped through Disney world (literally!), and enjoyed my mom's company. So, why get sick? Deepak Chopra advices we stop asking "why". Sound advice, yet I ask--slow learner I guess.

Thinking about it I realize that during the vacation, I didn't practice any hatha yoga or meditation. Days were packed and my mind and body were running on "excitement mode" for almost seven days straight. The adrenaline kept me moving and jumping; I felt like a kid again. This is all cool, but maybe, just maybe, my body and mind craved that down time. Peaceful time found during meditation and moving slowly with the breath. I was too busy having fun to even notice this lack of quiet--to busy loving the sun and warm temperatures--so my body decided it would force the time for stillness by getting sick.

I might not be correct in this reasoning, but just in case next time I'll just meditate!

Love Much,

Kris
www.TotalHealthYoga.com

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Improving Mental Health - Maintaining Weight Loss - (or gain)

Last week's post was based on admiration of Dr. Dyer's quote of the day; today I'd like to share with you another new blog--new to me--that has a great post suggesting Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health.

The American Diabetes Association says, "Approximately 64% of American adults are overweight or obese...." We all know that if we eat right and exercise, our bodies will respond. In high school, my 5' 1" body reached over 145 pounds. I refused to step on the scale again until I knew I had lost some weight. By the end of college, I was down to 96 pounds and had the child-sized wedding dress to prove it!

My weight and food problems stemmed wide and far. They were rooted in deep childhood issues. It wasn't until I began to love and appreciate myself and Life that the weight reached a comfortable zone (~115-120) and I felt fit and healthy. The point is, my body responded with I changed on the inside. Sure exercise and consciously considering what when in my mouth were a big part of it, but the yo-yo shifts in weight stopped when the reason I took care of my body was because I appreciated it and myself and not because I wanted to look or even feel a certain way.

In summary, physical fitness and watching what we eat is great, but until we pay attention to our mental health, attitude, and mindset, our physical health will, at best, be temporary.

Love Much--take care of yourself because you're worth it!

Kris
www.TotalHealthYoga.com

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Healing -- What's in Your Healing Toolbox?

Thousands of years ago Glen, the caveman, was frustrated while attempting to open a coconut. In his anger he threw a heavy rock at it. To his utter amazement, the fruit cracked open! Soon Glen was the most popular caveman in the tribe. He discovered--through trial and error--that attaching the rock to the end of a sturdy stick made a useful tool. Eventually the tribe called this tool "hammer" and everyone had one. It was all the rage.

Over the next couple thousand years the hammer was adapted for another use--to pry items apart. This required a split curved wedge on one side of the hammer. The people were very satisfied and convinced that they would never need another tool. Until one day, Sam from the next village came to visit with the "pliers." Very impressed, the town's people included that pliers to their tools.

Eventually there were many types of pliers all specialized for various purposes and other tools were created.

Today one could spend a small fortune on carpentry tools. The toolbox has definitely grown.

Healing is a lot like our imaginary story of the hammer. We may discover a wonderful healing modality; for thousands that modality is yoga. This "tool" serves us well and may even prove useful for various issues. However to think that one healing modality is the most appropriate in all cases, is as silly as thinking the hammer is the only tool you need.

I've spent almost a decade questing for the Holy Grail of healing. Along this path many wonderful techniques have proven useful, but the best lessons of all are:

There is no Holy Grail of healing.

One size does not fit all.

Different techniques may or may not be useful to all of us and one time or another. It's key for each of us to be open minded and to be willing to try new ways--especially when previous systems aren't working any more. Here are some methods that you may find useful:

* Spending time in nature

* Yoga postures

* Energy medicine

* Pranayama

* Meditation / Prayer

* Affirmations

* Awareness

* Aromatherapy

* Steam baths

* Bubble baths

* Extras sleep

* Supplements

* Journaling / Reflecting

* Dancing

* Laughing / Being less serious

* Byron Katie's "the work"

* Diet / Food consciousness / Spices

* Acupuncture

* Visualization

* Transcendental Meditation

* "Learning from the heart: Lessons on living, loving, and listening" by Daniel Gottlieb

* "The Four Agreements"

* Slow food / Cooking

So, what's in your healing toolbox?

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Stress Reduction - Slow Down!

This past weekend I had the honor of attending a workshop with Gary Kraftsow at City Yoga in Indianapolis, Indiana. Gary is the founder of the American Viniyoga Institute with a strong therapeutic approach to Yoga.

"Increasing breath threshold is something that can benefit almost everyone, aside from someone on a respirator," Gary commented. I have to agree with this whole-heartily. Time and again I see people push themselves into down dog even though they have carpel tunnel or take a deep twist with back troubles. (I've been guilty of this last one....)

As wonderful as asana can be, the breath is the doorway to real change and greater health. No doubt about it.

Back to Gary's comment regarding "breath threshold": Breath threshold is the capacity that you have to slow your breath. Another way of putting it is 'to slow your breath without strain is one of the healthiest simplest actions you can take.'

The average person breaths 15 times per minute--that's 15 inhales and 15 exhales in 60 seconds. A healthier person may be down at 8 breaths. A trained yogi may be 4.

The idea is to practice slowing your rate once or twice a day for 10-12 breaths. Then breathe normally throughout the day. Over time your "natural/normal" breath rate will slow down. Right now my breath rate (without controlling or intentionally altering it) is 8/min. Usually it's 6, but I had some dried fruit at breakfast and sugars tend to quicken my rate. You can see how the breath rate is impacted by your environment, diet, thoughts, and actions. Being in a state of fear may cause the breath to be held; this is a natural reaction, but for positive health we're talking about the continuation of inhale and exhale at a slow, deep, and even pace.

Slower breathing means: Lower heart rate, reduced blood pressure, regulation of hormones, calmer mind, improved digestion, and increased immunity.

Swami Jnaneshvara offers an easy method for lengthening the breath while maintain dirgha(steadiness):

"Imagine that you are driving a car, and that you quickly accelerate by firmly pressing the gas pedal with your foot. Imagine that when you want to slow down, you sharply press your foot on the brake pedal. In both cases there is a firm pressure being exerted. Now, imagine that you very gently press the gas pedal to accelerate, and that you very gently press the brake pedal to slow down. You are using less force in both accelerating and decelerating. That backing off, or slowing of the amount of force is what is done with the exertion towards exhalation and inhalation (vichchhedah). Through that slowing process, there is an expansion of awareness of the entire field of prana, which is called pranayama." ~ http://www.swamij.com/yoga-sutras-24953.htm

Thank you, Swamij!

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Muscle Strain - Finding Happy Muscles

As much as I'd like to say that practicing yoga has only left my body feeling joyous, strong, and fluid, this is not always the case. A matter of fact, there have been times that I've pulled or strained a muscle so severely that the pain lasts for days and, if I'm not careful, weeks!

Here's a remedy that has proven useful. Hopefully you'll find relief with it as well:

~2 cups of Epsom Salts

~5 drops Lavender essential oil

~5 drops Rosemary essential oil

~5 drops Peppermint essential oil

Mix the above ingredients in a warm bath and soak for at least 10 minutes. I tend to stay for 20 along with candlelight and music or a good book.

Love Much,

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Pure Essential Oils - Lavender Oil

There's nothing like an eye pillow scented with lavender after a yoga practice to bliss out. In the interest of easy washing, I use wash cloths scented with lavender for students, and today a question came in:

"What do you do to get the lavender scent in those towels? I wanted to do that with my pillow cases and wasn’t sure if you bought special detergent or just put lavender oil in the wash." J.D.

It's as simple as sprinkling a few drops just before bed.

The cool thing about this wondrous plant is that for most people it can be safely applied directly to the skin. A matter-of-fact lavender is a well-known burn remedy. If you have your own eye pillow for savasana (corpse, the final relaxation of most yoga classes), store it in a zip-locked bag and periodically add a few dashes of this essential oil. Avoid getting the oil in your eyes; once it's well soaked into the pillow (baring any skin sensitivity) you may use the pillow as usual.

The aroma produced is a natural relaxer. To take advantage of this when going to sleep at night, simply sprinkle a few drops on the pillow edges before laying down.

NOTE: Lavender perfume or a product that says "lavender" in its title does not mean there is any essential oil in it at all. This is just marketing and perhaps a nice smell. However, only the essential oil of lavender has the biological calming and healing benefits. You can find essential oils at just about any health food store.

Peace,

Kris

http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/

Chakras - First Chakra

After a long massage, my body felt like melted wax and there was a low hum flowing through my limbs. Sally, the massage therapist, handing me a tape about energy centers. "This is really good. I think you'd like it. Feel free to borrow it and let me know what you think."

This was the first time I was exposed to the word chakra and to be honest I thought it was a bunch of phooey. Almost 15 years later, I not only find chakra work beneficial, but can sometimes feel the movement of energy within my energy centers.

Anodea Judith says, "the original meaning of the word chakra as 'wheel' refers to the chariot wheels of the invading Aryans [who were entering India on chariots]." on page 9 of Wheels of Life. Today chakra typically refers to seven energy centers in the body.

The first and lowest of these centers is located at the base of the spine affecting the pelvic floor and legs. It provides a feeling of stability and grounding. Walking in thick mud would stimulate this chakra. Whether or not you like the term chakra, you will most likely see that feeling your feet literally sink into the earth would provide more grounding.

As an experiment, picture an elephant using as many of your senses as possible: smell the natural odor, feel the thick and rough skin, see the trunk swaying and the heavy body steps firmly along a path, taste the dryness in the air, and hear the chewing of grass. Now stand up or come on all fours and walk like an elephant. Experience your weight being dragged down and the firm planting of each foot. After a minute or so, stop and notice how grounded and stable you feel. If nothing else, you most likely will be able to sense your feet and legs more.

In Yoga, we use forward bends to stimulate the first chakra.

Working with the first chakra, also known as Muladhara, provides grounding, survival, support, stability, security (mental & physical).

You can work with this area via forward bends, massaging the foot, focusing on a rich and deep red color, using the affirmation "I am worthy & deserving", animal protein (eggs, dairy, meat).

A hint that this chakra could use some attention would be if you have weight issues, hemorrhoids, constipation, sciatica, degenerative arthritis, knee troubles, feeling unsafe or unable to provide for your needs, inability to stand up for yourself, or feeling unworthy or as if you don't belong.


Namaste,

Kris
www.TotalHealthYoga.com
www.TotalHealthYogaClasses.Blogspot.com

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Emotions - An opportunity to learn

Years ago I decided to stop shoving "negative" emotions out of the way and instead exploring why they came up. This change in direction has made a huge difference in my life, mostly by encouraging me to take personal responsibility for my feelings instead of blaming others.

This not only makes me feel better, but I'm sure my partner and kids appreciate it!

In the recent past, I've run across a number of thoughts that agree with this path of emotion exploration. The most structured method is offered by Byron Katie called The Work. Basically you start by writing out what has pissed you off (or upset you or frustrated you, etc.). Then you ask four questions:

1. Is it true?
2. Is it really true?
3. How do you react when you believe this thought?
4. Who would you be without this thought?

Katie's web site is very helpful. Additionally, she's written a number of books, my favorite being Loving What Is. The questions appear "too simple". Yet, reading more about her ideas shows you how to delve in deeper to see what's really going on. Yogis -- used to the idea of quieting the ego and mind -- will find an easier time hearing the inner voice that offers honest and true answers to the four questions.

Gary Zukav also promotes the importance of learning from your emotions. In Soul to Soul, he says:

"The painful experiences that you encounter, such as resentment, anger, and vengefulness, are the parts of your personality that your soul desires to heal. They are the parts of your personality that are not aligned with your soul. Your soul wants to create harmony, sharing, cooperation, and reverence for Life.... Your painful experiences are signposts that point directly to parts of your personality that need healing.... learn about yourself from your experiences and change yourself rather than continue to have the same painful experiences again and again. That is spiritual growth." (page 224)

Even Ester Hicks (Abraham) stresses the value of being honest regarding your feelings. She speaks of "feeling good" all the time, but not by denying your current state; rather by finding ways to transform yourself to a place of joy.

I believe Byron Katie's work and emotion exploration is one of many ways to do this.

Love Much,

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/
http://www.totalhealthyogaclasses.blogspot.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Oral Hygiene Care

Look closely and take your time. Can you guess what this is?

Wrong! Try again.

Still not sure? Well, technically it's a cheese knife sitting on my kitchen counter. However, it hasn't been used for cheese in years.

Its usual home is my bathroom drawer, and I use it religiously every morning to clean my tongue. At first it was gross and I wasn't sure I could scrap off all that crap that formed in my mouth while I innocently slept through the night.

But the alternative--leaving it there to be swallowed back down or worse yet rubbed onto my honey's tongue (your welcome for the visual)--was far worse than scraping it out and washing it down the sink.

I first heard about tongue scraping in an Ayurvedic text. The idea is that ama--icky stuff that your body is eliminating--rises to your tongues surface. To aid in the removal of this goo, you have to clean it off. Using a tooth brush sounds good on paper, but I have found there is still a lot left over. I've never had the balls to clean my tongue prior to brushing. Trust me, it's gross enough to do after brushing.

An added benefit to tongue scraping is fresher breath--which my 13 year old thanks me for!

Finally, why the cheese knife? Pretty simple really, the shape is perfect. It has a diagonal end somehow the shape of it makes the cleaning process thorough and easy. I've tried using a "professional" scraper that took two hands--they make better ones now. How is needing two hands convenient? It was awfully difficult to see past my hands and into my mouth! Also, a spoon can work; the shape is nowhere as useful as my precious cheese knife though. The spoon just didn't clean off as much goo.

Now before you go into your kitchen and grab a serrated sharp knife and wonder why there's blood all over the bathroom floor..... my wonderful "knife" is for soft cheese and is firm, but not sharp.

Enjoy the wonderful world of hygiene!


Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/
http://www.totalhealthyogaclasses.blogspot.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Setting New Years Resolutions - Out With The Old

Do you ever find at this time of year that it's difficult to find space for all the new presents that came during December? If you have young children, you might know just what I mean.

In order to make space for the new, we have to let go of the old. If you want a new TV, you'll have to give away the old one. Only so many boxes or trinkets will fit or will have a chance to be enjoyed. The old ones, move on to new homes. There is always a flow. A coming in and going out.

Our minds are the same way. To allow new ideas or attitudes into our lives, we first release or let go of old labels and thought patterns.



The art of Feng Shui tells us to clean out our closets when we are stuck and what we desire is not flowing into our life. I take this two ways. One, go through the bedroom closet and get rid of stuff that in longer being used. Salvation Army is one of many great places to take donations. Old love letters, might be better suited for a bonfire. Two, check out the mind. What cob webs and old thought patterns are hanging around in there? Still wishing for life to be different? Still wanting to be 20 again? Time to get rid of these thoughts as well. (Suddenly the daunting task of house cleaning seems pretty easy!)

What thought patterns do you hold onto? Are the helping or hindering your life? Is it time to clean inside and out?

Let go of the old, so that the new may come in.

Love Much,

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/
http://www.totalhealthyogaclasses.blogspot.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Cure for Hiccups

Last year, a student gave me a few pages from the newspaper because there was an article about Yoga or Meditation in it. The article was fine, but what really interested me was on the other side of the page.

There was an article about a new devise that you could purchase (for a high price) to stop hiccups. The devise stimulated the vagus nerve and thus stopped the hiccups. The writer went on to discuss how the vagus nerve was related to hiccups.

Being a Yogi and frequent hiccup sufferer, I found this fascinating. The Throat lock or Jalandhara bandha in Yoga has many purposes. One of them is to stimulate the vagus nerve.

So, I put one and one together and tried Jalandhara bandha the next time I got the hiccups. It worked! I used to get the hiccups at least every other day and sometimes it would last for over 30 minutes. No fun at all. I had tried all kinds of crazy stuff, but none of it worked.

Finally, something that works! For over a year now I've only had two cases where my hiccups lasted more than a minute, and even then they disappeared within a few minutes.

If you suffer from hiccups, stimulate your wondrous vagus nerve with Jalandhara bandha. Here's how:

1. Take a comfortable seat with a long straight spine.
2. Exhale as you gently drop your chin towards your chest. The back of the neck will become long. Be careful to NOT drop the whole head forward which can strain the neck muscles.
3. Inhale as you fill the chest with air and allow the sternum (heart center) to rise up towards the chin. The shoulder blades soften down the back as the chest stays lifted.
4. Hold this position and continue to breath.

I find that it only takes a few breaths and the hiccups are gone. If you try this, please let me know how it goes.

Good luck!

Kris
www.TotalHealthYoga.com
www.TotalHealthYogaClasses.Blogspot.com

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Vitamin Supplement - Should you or shouldn't you take vitamins?

Over this past weekend, Mike and I went to donate blood. My iron count was 1% too low, so I sat in the waiting area while Mike did his sharing of bodily fluids--in a good way.

The most recent Readers Digest was on the table (pictured above). The blaring title, The Vitamin Hoax, immediately caught my eye. Let me just say that I take enough pills everyday to warrant a friendly family joke about it. Yes, they are all vitamins, minerals, or healing herbs.

I read the RD article and was amazed to find a number of vitamins that I take on the "avoid" list.

Being that I've been totally healthy for almost 1.5 years now (aside from muscular strain here and there), and used to get sinus problems 3-5 times a year, I'm very hesitant to bail on my beloved vitamins and herbs.

Dr. Weil says that there are conflicting views and that every few years there's a "vitamin scare." You can read about it on his web site.

In the end, I'm going to stick with my regimen. The idea for this pill-popping was given to me by a friend. Her suggestion was to create a list of past illnesses--starting as far back as you can remember. Then go to Prescription for Nutritional Healing and see what vitamins they suggest taking for each of these illnesses.

In the end you have a chart over time showing what might be missing from your diet.

What's interesting is, when I did this, I began to notice a pattern of common minerals or vitamins that appeared to be lacking based on the conditions that I had had. I devised a supplement program based on these findings and the recommendations in Nutritional Healing. This was about a year ago, and I haven't looked back since. Well, until the RD article.

I thank RD for printing an article that caused me to look further into the wisdom (or lack thereof) of what I'm doing. For now, it sounds like the best path. So, I'll stick with it (sorry, RD).

Love Much,

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/
http://www.totalhealthyogaclasses.blogspot.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Choosing Happiness

Happiness is a choice.

One of the wisest things that my former husband ever said to me was,

"Only you can make you happy."

We were in college at the time, and I was upset--most likely someone had called me fat or I thought someone was laughing at me. Interesting how 20+ years later, the paranoia has subsided. Wow, does that mean I'm actually growing up? Or just realizing that he was right:

True happiness comes from within.

Dr. Joe Vitale, from The Secret, has a recent post listing "10 ways to get happy." He offers 10 suggestions to bring you out of a slump or momentary set back, such as being with your pet, dancing to music (one of my favorites!), giving to someone else, set an intention, say 'thank you', watch a movie, have some comfort food, detach, and smile.

I do believe that accepting and experiencing your current feelings is very important, but have had times of "stuckness" or self-pity or doubt about almost everything. That's when it's time to give yourself a nudge towards happiness, or in some cases a good hard push.

Here's my own list of happiness tips:

1. Take a walk.

2. Engage in a Hatha Yoga practice with a nice long savasana at the end.

3. Pranayama or Yogic breathing techniques to enhance life force--pay particular attention to the less dominant nostril and where the breath is in the nostrils.

4. Follow the Asanas and Pranayama with Meditation.

5. Journal at least 10 things that you are grateful for. Then maintain the feeling of gratitude as you write what you're ready to embrace--such as "I fully embrace joy and true happiness."

6. Hug someone.

7. Make *whoopie*.

8. Take a candlelit bath.

9. Dance with reckless abandon in your living room--not to some sappy love song, but to something uplifting like 3 Little Birds.

10. Pray with faith and trust.

and of course.... Love Much,

Kris
www.TotalHealthYoga.com
www.TotalHealthYogaClasses.Blogspot.com

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Eucalyptus Oil

Inspired by Everyday Yogini's comment regarding my last post on healthy gums and tea tree oil, I'd like to share another essential oil tip.

Whenever I feel a tickle in my throat, I use eucalyptus oil by sprinkling a few drops on my pillow just before going to bed. Eucalyptus can burn the skin and you definitely don't want to get it in your eyes. So, I'm careful to sprinkle just to the far sides of my pillow and allow it to soak in while I keep my head centered. By the time I'm rolling around and moving my head, the oil has soaked in and only the fresh fragrance is left.

This is one of the "tricks" that has kept me in keen health and with clear sinuses for over a year and a half now--which for me is a huge improvement!

Enjoy great health,

Kris
www.TotalHealthYoga.com
www.TotalHealthYogaClasses.Blogspot.com

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Healthy Gums

Gum disease runs in my family. During my second pregnancy my gums bled so bad they would just start bleeding in the middle of the day.

Flossing didn't help and my dentist implied this was just something I had to live with and would most likely loss my teeth early in life. I was only in my low 30's when this news came in.

Being interested in Yoga, I read a lot of Ayurvedic info and ran across the importance of caring for your gums as a sign of overall decent health. One source said to rub tea tree oil on the gums every day for dental hygiene care.

So, for the past 5 or so years I've been using a gum stimulator and tea tree oil every morning. I put just a few drops of tea tree on the stimulator. Then after brushing my teeth, I stimulate between every tooth -- front and back. This takes less than a minute. I let it sit on my gums/teeth for about 60 seconds while I wash my face. Then rinse.

To be honest my dentist--who I no longer go to--didn't think this was such a great idea. I'm guessing that he had never heard of tea tree oil. All I know is that my gums have not bled in 5 years and at age 43 they are healthier than in my late 20's!

So, listen to what makes sense to you. Doctors are great, but in the end you are the best judge for what works for you.


Love Much,

Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/
http://www.totalhealthyogaclasses.blogspot.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!