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| by Kristine Kaoverii Weber, MA, LMBT, RYT |
Muscle
soreness after asana practice may tell you that you’ve pushed yourself
too much the day before or that your sequencing was a little less
conscious than it could’ve been. But even if you are not sure which
poses were a tiny bit out of your range or what sequence would’ve made
things better, there is one practice that can really help –
self-massage. What I’ve found over the years is that if I skip
self-massage after my asanas, I’m more likely to be sore regardless of
which poses I’ve ventured into that day. Self-massage is a simple,
efficient practice that can both minimize muscle aches and actually
improve the effect of your asanas.
Massage is a natural complement to yoga. Perhaps you’ve attended
yoga classes which finished with the teacher coming around during
shavasana and massaging your head or feet. And perhaps you’ve noticed
how this simple touch deepened your relaxation. But massage after
asanas not only helps you relax and stave off subsequent soreness, it
also can improve the hormonal, lymphatic, circulatory and energetic
benefits of the poses.
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Because
massage makes you feel better and take more pride in your body, you are
more likely to stick to a diet. Knowing that the person giving you a
massage is going to notice any weight loss is another incentive. Added
to this are other benefits to your appearance. By stimulating the
circulation, massage tones the skin and smoothes the body This
improvement builds a positive selfimage, which produces more energy,
making exercising easier. This is the beginning of the upward spiral,
and weight will come off more easily.
Any massage is helpful for dieters, so follow the basic sequences
outlined throughout this book. However, you should spend more time on
the fleshiest areas, particularly the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks;
use plenty of deep stimulating movements, such as kneading and
pummeling. You can easily massage your abdomen and thighs yourself and
should try a few minutes of vigorous massage every day.
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Once
people discover the many joys and benefits of massage, a common
question arises — "How often should I schedule my massage sessions?" Of
course, there is no set answer, but studies indicate that massage at
regular intervals is most beneficial to your overall health.
In
a Newsweek article entitled "The Magic of Touch," the advantages of
frequent massage are considered. The following excerpts help to answer
the question, "How often?"
"A weekly massage may seem an indulgence, but new research suggests it can have major health benefits....
"Since
instituting a program of massage, job-specific exercises and ergonomics
in 1990, the Virginia-based company [Wampler Foods] has cut
repetitive-stress injuries by 75 percent....
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In This Issue
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Hand Massage
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Please click
on the picture about to learn more about how to do a simple yet
effective hand massage for your family and friends.
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Chocolate Banana Tofu Pudding
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INGREDIENTS
* 1 banana,
broken into chunks
* 1 (12 ounce) package soft silken tofu
* 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
* 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
* 3 tablespoons soy milk
* 1 pinch ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. Place
the banana, tofu, sugar, cocoa powder, soy milk, and cinnamon
into a blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Pour into individual
serving dishes, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
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JBA Network / Content Corner • 311 Montford Ave • Asheville • NC • 28801
