 |
|
 |
| |
| Departments |
Home
Columns, Special
Topics & Features:
The Columns:
Angels, Guides, &
Loving Spirits:
Angel Blessings:
with Dr. Doreen Virtue
Ask Valerie Morrison,
Internationally
Acclaimed Psychic
Astrologer's Notes:
Ask Carrin Martin,
Astrologer
Basil Fearrington,
Astrologer
Diana Stone,
Astrologer &
Huna Shaman
Jeff Jawer
Astrologer
Martin Lass,
Astrologer
Glenn Perry,
Astrologer
Ray Merriman,
Financial Astrology:
MMA Market Week
Erin Sullivan,
Astrologer
Noel Tyl,
Astrologer
Stellar Scopes
Daija de Mornay
Daily Aspect Calendar
by Care
The Weekly Horoscope
By Care
Creating Bridges:
The Spiritual &
Philosophical
Act of Power
Discovering the Key to Living Your Sacred Dream
by Lynn Andrews
The BUT Doctor
Healing America's Real Crack Problem One Person at a Time
by Eddie Conner
Avant-Gardening:
Insights by Frank &
Vicky Giannangelo
Breaking Free:
Anne Brewer
Choices: The Art of Conscious Creation:
by Teri Harris Saa
From The Heart:
Alan Cohen
Teachings from the Western Mystery Traditions: The Esoteric "Paths of Return"
by Jacquelyn Small, Eupsychia
"Letters from Heaven:" Spiritual Guidance from
the Hebrew Alphabet
by Avigayil Landsman
Memos From The
First Tabugian
Art Rosengarten, Ph.D.
The Path of Wisdom and Love
Dr. John Demartini,
Spirituality in Daily Life: by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
The Conscious Column
by David Ault
Spiritual Mastery
for the 21st Century
Dr. Gwen MacGregor
Pearls of Wisdom:
with Care
Feng Shui:
Wind & Water:
Carole J. Hyder
In Practice:
How to Create a Successful Holistic Practice- from Start to Success
by Shaun Brown,
CMT, BA BeWell Publications
Spirit in Work
by John Livesay,
Author
The Business of Tarot
by Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Master
Pet Care:
Dr. Carson's Holistic Animal Care
by Dr. Kathleen Carson, D.V.M.
Tarot:
Soulforest:
Tarot and Spirituality
Rachel Pollack,
Tarot Grand Master
Gateway to Tarot:
by Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Master
Reviews:
Tarot, Cartomancy,
Oracle Decks,
Books, & Software.
by Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Master
Bonnie Cehovet's
Tarot Interviews
Humor:
Wake Up Laughing.Com:
Swami Beyondananda
Features:
Blessings & Messages
Crystals, Gemstones & Minerals by Kristi of MoonCave
Event Calendar
Historical Notes & Data
The MetaPersonals
Symbols, Seals,
Amulets & Talismans
The What in the
World Department
Trivia & Other
Novel Moments
Opinion - Editorial
Interviews:
Watch for Upcoming Announcements
Healing & Alternative
Health:
"The Ancient Way of Chinese Medicine"
by Kevin O'Neil
Flower Essences
by Donna Cunningham
Living in Harmony-Astrology, Yoga & Ayurveda:
Venkat & Christine Machiraju
"Spirit and Practice
of the Wise Woman
Tradition"
By Susun Weed
Tai Chi & Qigong
by Bill Douglas
The Holistic Mystic,
by Lonny Brown
Medical Intuition: Tune
in to Your Body and Improve Your Health
by Caroline Sutherland, Sutherland Communications
Tools for Heartful Living
by Jackie Woods,
Healer & Spiritual Teacher,
Adawehi Institute
Conscious Breathing
for Health and Self Transformation
by Dennis Lewis
The Directory
The Book Nook
Archives:
Past Issues
General Information:
Editorial Submission
Information:
Articles
Columns
Editorial Opinions
"Opinion - Editorial"
General Content
Event Calendars
Graphics & Photos
Editorial Deadlines
Advertising Promotion:
Advertising
Information &
Opportunities
About
The Meta Arts
Magazine
Contact Us
Legal Notices
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Holistic Mystic: |
|
|
Yoga, Women, & Weight©
by Lonny Brown, Ph.D. |
|
|
Different Than Diets
If you think that self-deprivation and sweating on a treadmill is the only way to control your weight, or if you're fed-up with fad diets and pills, and losing and re-gaining pounds, it's time to look at the weight-healing benefits of yoga.
Although not traditionally practiced for weight-loss, yoga helps your body find its optimal mass through systemic, functional conditioning. The emphasis is on health, not thinness. In yoga, feeling good immediately - from stretching, deep breathing, and relaxing -translates into looking good eventually. By taking a gradual, metabolic approach to weight normalization, yoga avoids the rebound effect and other dangers of crash weight-loss programs.
Yoga is not an aerobic/cardiovascular workout, but it promotes heart and lung health and development, and is thoroughly compatible with all other athletic activities.
Weight is more than an appearance issue for women. Life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and colon and breast cancer are all linked to overweight. A long-term yoga practice is an excellent prevention and/or remedy for many such life-style-related illnesses.
How Yoga Controls Weight
The quintessential holistic self-care strategy, yoga works on several levels simultaneously to create one's ideal body shape and weight.
PHYSIOLOGICALLY, Yoga
Ø promotes muscle tone
Ø stimulates the glands and balances hormones
Ø increases oxygen intake - for burning calories
Ø boosts circulation
Ø increases metabolic efficiency - burns fat easier
BEHAVIORALLY
Ø Yoga reduces stress - a common trigger for overeating.
Ø Relaxation becomes the preferred substitute for the "comfort" of compulsive consumption.
Ø The sense of discipline in the name of health carries over to food and lifestyle choices.
PSYCHO-SPIRITUALLY
Doing yoga poses is by nature an individual, introspective pursuit, and meditation has always been an integral component of the practice. Quieting the mind and developing self-reflection can reveal the subconscious causes of food abuse and exercise avoidance.
Yoga is self-empowering. It teaches you to care for and celebrate your body, It builds self-acceptance, self-image, and self-esteem, through the satisfaction of personal improvement. Even if you take a yoga class just to lose weight, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that the practice has enhanced many other aspects of your life.
Yoga Positions for Weight Control*
Ø Seated spinal twist
Ø Boat (belly crunch)
Ø Locust (abdominal toner)
Ø Lunge (massages internal organs)
Ø Widespread Standing Forward Bend
Ø Downward-Facing Dog (inversion for digestion)
Ø Side Angle
Ø Warrior
Ø Tree (balance for overall muscle tone)
Yoga Weight Loss Tips:
Ø Take the long view. Go slowly. Stay in your comfort zone, but don't be lazy. Do your best everyday.
Ø Start in a chair if preferred or necessary.
Ø Always modify the poses to suit your aptitude.
Ø Practice the passive "restorative" poses first: Corpse, baby, supported fish, suppine spinal twist, etc.
Ø Use pillows, bolsters, blocks and straps.
Ø Don't go by numbers of pounds on the scale; go by how you feel and improve each day.
Ø Practice healthy habit substitution: Sun Salutes instead of snacks!
Ø Try the yogic (natural vegetarian) approach to food and eating.
*Yoga Journal, Dec. 2000, Why Yoga Works When Diets Often Fail pg. 78.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lonny Brown,
Ph.D.
|
 |
Lonny J. Brown, Ph.D. is the author of "Self-Actuated Healing" (Naturegraph, Publ.), and "Enlightenment In Our Time," (BookLocker.com/
LonnyBrown).
His writings on holistic health have appeared on AOL's Alternative Medicine Forum and in Alternative Health Practitioner, Yoga Journal, and many other progressive publications.
Dr. Brown teaches holistic health, mind/body healing, and stress reduction courses at hospitals, schools and businesses throughout the US. His Web site also features essays, tapes, books, and links to a variety of integrative health sources.
Lonny J. Brown, Ph.D. is also the author of " ENLIGHTENMENT ONLINE - The Newsletter for Spiritual Cyberspace.
holistic.com/lonny
lonny@holistic.com
lonnybrown@aol.com
|
Send your questions to:
The Holistic Mystic
|
 |
You'll find it in
The
Directory! |
|
|
|
|
