Ancient Secrets For Modern Day Health

In an attempt to find balance in a modern world within a continually expanding technological society a return to basics makes sense. Natural remedies including healing foods and yoga are regaining popularity as part of a larger collection of modalities known as alternative or natural therapies. We are inundated with multi-million dollar ad campaigns for products promising relief from a long list of ailments including depression, colds, headaches, heartburn and constipation but not without the threat of consequences. These side effects, which involve but are not limited to dry mouth, insomnia, diarrhea, dizziness, mysterious pain and headaches can materialize as the identical symptoms attempting to be cured. Re-establishing the unlimited supply of genuine tools early generations all over the globe have passed down allows us to support the body in its own self- healing process.

Yoga is a central ingredient of Indian culture. The details of this ancient civilization reveal the origin of yoga in the Hindu culture dating back to at least 3000 B.C. Yoga means to make union of that which is fragmented. Yoga works to bring together our physiological and psychological systems thus completely rejuvenating the body/mind organism. Today there can no longer be the least doubt of yoga's effectiveness as both a curative and preventive medicine. According to medical scientists regular practice of poses, breathing and meditation creates a balance in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all of the other systems and organs of the body. The end result is measurable benefit for such diverse ailments as diabetes, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, obesity, chronic fatigue, asthma, varicose veins and heart conditions.

Through the practice of yoga, one develops awareness of the inter-relation between the emotional, mental and physical levels of being alive. A disturbance in any one of these aspects has an affect on the other two. Yoga works a person's body in ways they may never have felt before. By expertly using body weight, bodily resistance, breathe, and focus to move into a series of asanas (poses) you are using time honored movements that have been proven to reverse the aging process on a cellular level.

There are numerous styles of yoga practice. Hatha yoga the most physical form of yoga is also the most recognizable in western society. Integral yoga developed by Swami Satchidananda is a form of Hatha yoga that places almost as much emphasis on breath work and meditation as on strong physical postures. Dr. Dean Ornish uses Integral yoga in his groundbreaking work on reversing heart disease. Hatha yoga may also be the equivalent of an aerobic workout in the form of Power Yoga or Hot Yoga. Hot Yoga was developed by Bikram Choudury and involves a series of 26 postures performed twice each in a certain order. The room is heated to over 100 degrees, which warms muscles and tendons so they can be stretched easily. Be prepared to sweat! Diane Hatfield has a Hot Yoga studio located on the corner of Lenola Rd. and Kings Highway in Moorestown (856-234-1928) Both Power and Hot Yoga are not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. Hatha yoga is best suited for those who like to play hard and be physically challenged. Minimal importance is placed on the meditative aspect of yoga rendering this ideal for those who rely on the brain or intellect extensively. Weight loss is also a benefit to this type of yoga.

Kripalu yoga is called the yoga of consciousness. Kripalu yoga concentrates on coordinating breath, alignment, and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the body". Participation is consistent with the limitations of each individual’s elasticity and strength. Students learn to focus on physical and psychological reactions triggered by various postures to develop their awareness of mind, body, emotion and spirit. Those new to yoga will greatly benefit from this experience. The pace is slow or challenging according to your own personal flexibility creating a supportive environment for all levels of experience to attend the same sessions. People with a history of not listening to their body, pushing themselves beyond their natural limits, or who have problems setting boundaries in professional and personal circumstances are a perfect match for Kripalu yoga. High powered sales or executive jobs and those under a lot of stress will also be well served to choose this kind of yoga. Lourdes Wellness Center in Collingswood offers many variations, with certified Kripalu teachers and many time choices. (856-869-3125)

Svaroopa Yoga developed by Rama Berch, teaches significantly different ways of doing familiar poses by emphasizing the opening of the spine beginning at the tailbone and progressing through each spinal area in turn. Every pose integrates the foundational principles of asana, anatomy and yoga philosophy, and highlights the development of transcendent inner experience, which is called svaroopa by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. This is a realization-oriented yoga that also promotes healing and transformation. Svaroopa is not an athletic endeavor, but a development of awareness using the body as a tool. This modality is especially suited to people who are interested in personal and spiritual development through body movement, those who enjoy meditation, have difficulty with tight hips, or want the feel of one on one sessions in a group setting. Micki Italiano offers Svaroopa yoga at the Kings Grant Community Center in Marlton, for class times and dates call (856-596-4371).

There are also groups that practice Men’s Yoga, Pregnancy/Pre-Natal Yoga, and Yoga for Back Care, Cancer and other diseases. No style is better than another; it's simply a matter of personal preference. More important than any practicing a particular style of yoga is the teacher and the student-teacher relationship. Unsure where to start? Begin with the type of yoga that best suits your life style or personality.

While yoga begins to balance out the body/mind physical ailments may still manifest or remain as part of the healing process. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been recorded since approximately 350 B.C. Before determining treatment TCM operates from a holistic perspective by identifying causes and not by diagnosing specific diseases. For example, a migraine is the result of a liver and blood disorder and thus treated accordingly. Liver trouble is often a result of overeating hence a person may need to fast for a few days, reduce portion sizes or learn to chew food thoroughly. Foods that cleanse the blood and liver including brown rice soup, green leafy vegetables and sprouts would be introduced into the diet. Acupuncture, aromatherapy and homeopathy may also be employed if the condition warrants, but an expert would be needed to incorporate these modalities. Although this may appear both simple and complex recovery is faster and more complete. As an alternative to treating symptoms, this method of diagnosis concentrates on the origin of the distress and is an uncomplicated approach to support the body in healing itself.

How can we take this ancient philosophy and use it in modern everyday life? Eating locally and seasonally is a good place to start. Although this concept initiated in Asia it is just as relevant in the USA. Floridians are healthiest when eating foods that grow in Florida. Citrus foods, tropical fruits and vegetables are native to the southeast and easily digestible by inhabitants of that area. Pennsylvanians do better limiting those foods to summertime if at all. According to TCM guidelines consuming pears, apples and berries that grow in Pennsylvania as well as pumpkins, sweet potatoes, oats and squashes during periods of cold weather creates a foundation for good health and strong immunity.

Whether curing warts, lowering cholesterol, or reducing indigestion natural food remedies are universal. Banana peel contains a substance that is highly effective at destroying warts. Place a small amount of peel against the wart and hold it in place with adhesive tape. Change the peel daily as needed. Lower both cholesterol and high blood pressure by adding 3-6 cloves of garlic to your daily diet. Indigestion and heartburn can be reduced or eliminated by proper food combinations, eating fennel seeds or ingesting peppermint or chamomile tea.

The solution to what ails you can sometimes be discovered in the form of a home remedy or regular exercise practice as an alternative to a visit to the pharmacy or doctor’s office. Yoga applications and natural remedies give our body the tools to heal and grow physically powerful. Simply incorporating yoga once a week on a regular basis can provide dramatic health benefits. Mother Nature has supplied the ingredients while generations of food tradition have supplied the recipes for infinite food/body/mind experimentation. To learn from a Harvard Medical School doctor about utilizing food as medicine jointly with yoga I recommend Natural Health, Natural Medicine by Andrew T. Weil. Evolve at your own pace while integrating these changes. Be gentle with yourself!

Rose Payne is the founder and Director of High Level Wellness a holistic health and nutrition center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor and National Educator with a private practice that offers assistance countrywide. She is also the Director of the Immersion Graduate Program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. Her passion is helping clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition. You can contact Rose at info@high-level-wellness-online.com

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