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by Kristine Kaoverii Weber, MA, LMBT, RYT
Yoga Instructor, Shiatsu Practitioner And Author
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.
read more
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....
read more
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. |
In This Issue
Self
Massage After Yoga
The
Benefits of Regular Massage
Massage
for Dieting
Practice
Updates
Hand
Massage Video
Recipe
of the Month
Updates
from My Practice
Your
updates go here. You can change this every month or leave this
information static. Your updates go here.
Your updates
go here. You can change this every month or leave this information
static. Your updates go here. You can change this every month
or leave this information static. Your updates go here. You
can change this every month or leave this information static
Hand
Massage Video
Please click
on the picture about to learn more about how to do a simple yet
effective hand massage for your family and friends.
Chocolate
Banana Tofu Pudding
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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