JUST BREATH

Breathing is important for two reasons. It is the only means to supply our bodies and its various organs with the supply of oxygen which is vital for our survival. The second function of breathing is that it is one means to get rid of waste products and toxins from the body.

Oxygen is the most vital nutrient for our bodies. It is essential for the integrity of the brain, nerves, glands and internal organs. We can do without food for weeks and without water for days, but without oxygen, we will die within a few minutes. If the brain does not gets proper supply of this essential nutrient, it will result in the degradation of all vital organs in the body.

The brain requires more oxygen than any other organ. If it doesn't get enough, the result is mental sluggishness, negative thoughts and depression and, eventually, vision and hearing decline. Old people and those whose arteries are clogged often become senile and vague because oxygen to the brain is reduced. They get irritated very quickly.

Poor oxygen supply affects all parts of the body. The oxygen supply is reduced to all parts of the body as we get older due to poor lifestyle. Many people need reading glasses and suffer hearing decline in old age.

When an acute circulation blockage deprives the heart of oxygen, a heart attack is the result. If this occurs to the brain, the result is a stroke.

For a long time, lack of oxygen has been considered a major cause of cancer. Even as far back as 1947, work done in Germany showed that when oxygen was withdrawn, normal body cells could turn into cancer cells.

Similar research has been done with heart disease. It showed that lack of oxygen is a major cause of heart disease, stroke and cancer. The work done at Baylor University in the USA has shown that you can reverse arterial disease in monkeys by infusing oxygen into the diseased arteries.

Thus, oxygen is very critical to our well-being, and any effort to increase the supply of oxygen to our body and especially to the brain will pay rich dividends. Yogis realized the vital importance of an adequate oxygen supply thousands of years ago. They developed and perfected various breathing techniques. These breathing exercises are particularly important for people who have sedentary jobs and spend most of the day in offices. Their brains are oxygen starved and their bodies are just ‘getting by’. They feel tired, nervous and irritable and are not very productive. On top of that, they sleep badly at night, so they get a bad start to the next day continuing the cycle. This situation also lowers their immune system, making them susceptible to catching colds, flu and other ‘bugs’. http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_breathing_Importance.htm

I TOOK THE VOW

I recently attended the Become the Change Community Outreach Program in NYC. Where Dr. Deepak Chopra invited us to "Become the change that you want to see in the world..." Mahatma Gandhi 

So... I took the vow. It's time to step up to the plate with more than just words.

LARGEST ORGAN

The skin - or to use the correct term, cutaneous membrane - is the largest organ in the human body. There are about two square metres of it covering an average adult and it accounts for about an eighth of the total body weight. It's the body's first line of defence against a hostile environment, being waterproof (from both directions) and germ-proof. It also acts as a temperature control mechanism and the main access to one of the senses - touch.

www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A581032 

WATER WORKS

As we age, the water content of our bodies declines from about 78% at birth to a low of 50% in our senior years. Optimal hydration is paramount to our bodies maximum performance in all areas. If you wait until you're thirsty to drink it, there is a good chance that you are already slightly dehydrated. 

For human survival, water is definitely the most important nutrient and for optimal health, it is the most under-valued part of the human diet. Because water provides no caloric potential, it as been excluded from categorization as a macronutrient. Consider that a person can survive for weeks without food but only a few days without water. *

Stay younger and healthier longer. Drink pure, clean water.

*Water 

The Fountain of Youth, Health and Beauty

by: William D. Holloway, Jr. and Herb Joiner-Bey, N.D.

 

KICK ASS YOGA!!!

I had a string of beautiful experiences today, one flowing effortlessly into the other. As the sun went down I found myself in a yoga class in Park Slope, Brooklyn - led by Julie Brandwein. in the traditional Iyengar**method. This was my first experience with this style of yoga, and also my first formal class in years, but it will certainly not be the last. In fact I plan to sign up for her beginners series starting this weekend.

Julie is an exceptional teacher, she's very clear in her explanations of each pose- which for me is important as I tend to close my eyes as I practice. She got me twistin' stuff I didn't know could twist and boy is my body happy It feels really young (like maybe 12...no--kidding) and light.

I have two words for this class -- KICK ASS!!! 

If you're ready to welcome a new healthier body then Yogasana Center for Yoga is the place to go to sign up for Julie's class. Your body will love you for it.

**Iyengar teachings are characterized by an approach to over 200 postures and 14 breathing exercises. This methodology allows beginners to progress steadily and safely from basic to advanced as they gain more flexibility, strength and sensitivity. ----Yogasana Center brochure.

JUST ADD WATER

Health and well being is not only limited to our bodies it involves everything we are in contact with directly or not. The planet's well being is something we are all responsible for. We choose to take action each day...even when we "don't".  I'd like to share one of my personal favorite household products with you. Just add water to this super concentrated solution and it goes a very long way. I've been using biodegradable earth sensitive products for years, although when my son was born 8 years ago, all this was taken to a new level. 

SoL-U-Mel - is a biodegradable, all-natural, contains no caustic chemicals, can be mixed with water (add 1 part concentrate -pictured- to 5 parts water), with other EcoSense cleaners or used full strength.

This is virtually all I use. It's my all purpose spray (when water added) this can be ordered with a spray bottle so you can refill as often as you like. I clean my floors with it - I add it to the water in my mop bucket and I spray it directly on floors when using my Method O*MOP for in between the bucket duty, I also add a capful to my laundry and it is the ONLY product I have found to REMOVE pet odors (in particular cat spray, pee, barf etc...) effectively and easily. 

And when your child channels his or her inner Piccasso  all over your floors. "Don't Worry Be Happy",this will battle even permanent marker and...win! The good news is that it will not harm your surface in the process.

For information on these and othe Eco-Sense products please contact Denise Goodman/ Director with Melaleuca: The Wellness Company at 770-992-0088 and/or 404-312-3770.

**Happy cleaning!!!  -  Spring is almost here.