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Yoga Exercises

August 6, 2008

I am constantly reading books and articles on yoga exercises or what we call yoga poses.  It is like an obsession with me, I just love it so much!  So I thought I would share with you some thoughts and feelings on some of these yoga exercises that actually do help even your face to look younger and less strained.  We know as we age we lose tone and we wrinkle and our color will even change as well as get dry skin.  So how do certain yoga exercises help with facial aging?  When it comes to facial color and vigor it is the breathing, the circulation of blood due to the breathing and the holding of poses.  It is redirecting the flow of energy or being conscious of that directing that will directly benefit the face through imparting much-needed circulation. The cells are able to revitalize more efficiently as well.  This all translates into being energized!  What better way to look younger than by feeling younger!!

Also, by turning up the heat inside the body, due to the yoga exercises (poses) and breathing, is assists in burning away impurities.  It detoxifies through the body’s largest excretory organ, the skin through sweat.  Away with dull color or droopiness.  Turn up the internal heat while working out and bring to the body increases energy and vigor.

Now, when you do practice yoga exercises, be sure to follow these simple guidelines for the face:

First, relax your face, even if the pose is a little uncomfortable.

Second, turn the corners of your mouth slightly upward in a neutral, pleasant smile.

Third, relax your jaw, by parting the teeth and relaxing your tongue.

Fourth, after a wonderful inhale, vocalize your exhale with an ahhhhhhh sound.

These simple things will become habit for you and you will become accustomed to relaxing your face the rest of your life.  Wow, your calming face will calm others who are stressing.  Namaste, everyone!

Written by admin · Filed Under Featured Articles, Flexibility, Stress Relief, Yoga | Leave a Comment 

Hip Flexor Stretch

August 2, 2008

Oh boy, tight hip flexors! Need Hip Flexor Stretch? I am one of those exercisers that must always be stretching this area of the body.  The hip flexors refer to the five muscles that start from the lumbar spine or the pelvis and then inserts into the leg. The muscles included are called, Psoas major, psoas minor, rectus femoris, tensor fascia latae and the iliacus.   Three of the muscles, psoas minor and major and the iliacus form one insertion into the femor, the thigh bone.   The tensor insert into the Iliotibial band that is located on the outside of the leg, from the top of the thigh down to the shin bone.

The rectus femoris has two places it inserts, the hip and the knee joint.

The tightness of the hip flexors can affect the lower back and cause a misalignment of the pelvis.  And, ouch, that can become a chronic problem.  For me, it was some back aches that sometimes seemed like sciatica.

So what is the hip flexor stretch that will help to alleviate these problems mentioned above?  The hip flexor stretch!  Simple but oh so important.

The hip flexor stretch begins with both knees on the floor, and then one foot coming forward.  Keep your pelvis neutral, relax your shoulders down, gently tuck your chin towards your chest, as in a cervical nod in Pilates. 

The action performed in a hip flexor stretch is while not moving your lumbar spine, gently move into an extension of the front of your quadriceps, while drawing the belly into the spine in a hollowing out type of feeling.  Keep the tailbone long and drawing down towards the floor.  If you are particularly flexible in the hip flexors then lift the back foot off and reach around and grab it.  This will definitely give the quad and the hip flexors and serious stretch.  But whether or not you can execute this to this degree, begin today doing this hip flexor stretch just for the mere fact you or we all sit alot!  We need it simply for that!! 

Written by admin · Filed Under Featured Articles, Flexibility, Yoga | 1 Comment 

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