Asana of the week - Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

Camel Pose — Ustrasana (ooh-STRAHS-uh-nuh) — is a backbend that stretches the whole front of the body. It is performed on the knees and is often used as preparation for deeper backbends. This pose is a popular component of Vinyasa and Power Yoga classes, and it is also one of the 26 poses practiced in Bikram Yoga.

Its name comes from the Sanskrit words “ustra” (meaning “camel”) and “asana” (meaning “pose”). Practicing Ustrasana daily can be a great way to relieve neck and back pain caused by slouching in front of a computer or driving.

Longevity

Self Care for Longevity Guidelines

There is no hard and fast rule to determine what your self-care regime might include, but I will offer a few simple guidelines that apply to both Yin and Yang self-care. 

1) If it doesn't fuel you or nourish you, it isn't self-care. 

2) Self-care means you do it for yourself. While we sometimes need to ask for help in our lives, self-care should be empowering and something you can do for yourself with as little reliance elsewhere as possible (except of course for things like body work or health treatments where you put yourself in someone's care for a time). 

3) Self-care is something you look forward to. If you don't enjoy it or otherwise get a deep benefit, it won't fuel or nourish you. 

4) Self-care results in health and vitality. Self-care does not mean going out and eating a 3-layer cake or getting bombed. Never use self-care to justify bad habits or behaviour that hurts you or anyone else. 

5) Self-care is necessary to your well-being. Take it seriously. Did you catch that last one? Self-care is necessary to your well-being. Take it seriously. This is your life, and if you are a responsible, awake individual (or at the very least, want to become one) self-care is part of your work to make sure you are firing on all cylinders

Asana of the week - Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)

Bridge Pose - Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Say-too BAHN-duh shar-vahn-GAHS-uh-nuh) - is a beginning backbend that helps to open the chest and stretch the thighs. Its Sanskrit name comes from five different words:

• "Setu" - meaning "bridge"
• "Bandha" - meaning "lock"
• "Sarva" - meaning "all"
• "Anga" - meaning "limb"
• Asana" - meaning "posture"

When you're in the pose, your arms and legs create a "locked bridge" with your body. This pose can be used as a preparation for deeper backbends, or practiced with a block as a restorative pose.

"You can practice the bridge to both strengthen and stretch your back. This pose also lengthens and loosens the hamstrings, improving circulation and promoting overall relaxation." - Andrew Weil, M.D

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is often called the "Sunshine" vitamin because it is produced in the skin in response to sunlight. I was surprised when my doctor told me that most people today are Vitamin D deficient. The problem is that most of our daylight hours are spent indoors, often in offices and cubicles with artificial light. And then when we do go outdoors, we're concerned about sunburn and the harmful effects that come with overexposure to the sun, so we pile on the sunscreen. So we're missing out on many of the benefits of Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, giving us strong bones and teeth. It also helps improve our resistance against certain diseases.

You may be taking in plenty of Vitamin D through supplements, Vitamin D milk, and fortified cereals. However, if your liver is full of toxins (another common problem) your body can't benefit from the Vitamin D you put into it.

This is because Vitamin D must first be activated in the liver and kidneys before it can be used. If your liver is full of toxins, the Vitamin D you take orally won't get activated. You can actually end up taking too much Vitamin D, and running the risk of overdose.

Transdermal Absorption Of Vitamin D Is A Better Way To Go.

SVA Vit D Transdermal Cream was formulated by renowned Ayurvedic physician Vaidya Mishra combining ancient herbal knowledge with cutting edge modern scientific technology. It is designed to deliver and facilitate the absorption of Vitamin D without exerting a load on our internal organs, especially the liver.

The 12 ingredients of the formulation make-up a pranic, lively synergy of herbs that will be readily absorbed and delivered through your skin. This ancient formula has been used for hundreds of years in Vaidya's family to treat severe cases of Vit D deficiency, including rickets in children.

Vit D also comes in a Roll on and a Deodorant.

Vaidya Mishra's Vit D Deodorant is especially effective because there are some glands under the armpits that readily absorb lipid soluble molecules. With the Vit D deodorant Roll-on, you deodorize and supply Vit D to your physiology. And it's a Roll-on so it's hygienically sealed, and only the needed amount is released when the jar is rolled on. Easy to carry and apply. The best ideas are always the simplest and most economical!