pose of the week: eagle

Garudasana

How to do it:

1. Starting in mountain pose, extend both of your arms out in front of you.

2. Bring your right arm under your left, cross at the elbows and bring your palms together (may grab opposite shoulders if too intense)

3. Pull your elbows up, shoulders down and draw your hands away from your face.

4. Bend your knees then cross your right thigh over your left. You can keep your right big toe on the ground, or hook your ankle around your left calf.

5. Sink the hips, squeeze everything together, and make sure your elbows and knees are all in one line.

Keep your gaze forward and stay for 5-10 deep breaths then repeat on the other side

Benefits:

• Strengthens and stretches the ankles and calves
• Stretches the thighs, hips, shoulders, and upper back
• Improves concentration and balance 

pose of the week: crescent

 Anjaneyasana

How to do it:

1. Starting in downward dog, take a deep breath in, and as you exhale step your right foot forward so you’re in a lunge.  Adjust your knee so it is directly over your ankle.

2. Keep your back leg engaged as you slowly come up, raising your arms overhead.  

3. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor and push back through your left heel, keeping your hips squared to the top of the mat.

4. Reach out through your fingertips, and roll your shoulders away from the ears.

Keep your arms and legs strong; hold for 10-15 breaths then bring your hands back to the mat and step back to downward dog. Repeat on the left side.

Benefits:

• Strengthens your legs, back, shoulders, and arms, building stamina

• Opens your hips and chest, and improves balance

• Improve your coordination and concentration

ear-candling magic!

It’s that time of year again, where the flu bug makes its rounds. Runny nose, cough, fever and chills – nothing that no one wants to get…but I did! Every year around the holidays it seems to get me; I overwork my body and this is the pay back.

I am officially feeling better. However, I couldn’t teach my hot class tonight, as much as I hate letting my students down, but the heat would not have been good for my body. After countless dosages of oregano oil, Buckley’s, vitamin C, Tylenol cold and flu, and ginger tea, one thing made the list of top remedies: EAR CANDLING!

My mother has been doing it for years in the comfort of our own home alongside her reflexology career, and I make it a ritual to "clean my ears" at least once a year, (using Q-Tips after you shower does not count!).  It honestly cured me, just when I thought I couldn’t breathe anymore, it completely opened up my sinuses.  The candle is made up of bee’s wax, and the procedure lasts about 25-30mins. There is no pain in the world, and is extremely soothing. The results are even better, when you get to see all the crap that comes out of one single ear! It is safe for people of all ages, even dogs!

Ear candling also helps with: allergies, migraines, pressure headaches, balance disorders, hearing loss, swimmers ear, ear infections, impacted ear wax and head noises.

Let me know if you’re interested!

new year, new YOU!

Happy 2012 everyone!

As we welcome this new year, comes new resolutions. From saving money, starting a new workout or diet regimen to starting a new career, the list is endless. Think about what you want out of this year and what you want to accomplish. This is a new year for YOU: make it special, make it big and make it last!

To everyone, may 2012 bring you all good health, love, happiness and success. I am determined to keep up with this blog weekly and stay true to myself and live this year to the fullest.

Fill in the blank: this year, you will __________________________.

image source: xitclub.com