Stretch of the Month: Hip Opening

Shakira said it first: my hips don't lie. Have you ever squatted or bent over to find yourself feeling suddenly angry or frustrated? Not to sound like an anti-depressant commercial, but you're not alone. The anatomical significance of hips is evident, but the emotional implications are not always. Hips can be thought of as a basin for negative emotions. We women especially store years of frustration and negative emotions in those junk drawers known as hips. I've attended several hip-opening yoga classes and almost every time afterwards, I witness a woman or two crying with both relief and gratitude. I have to admit that Pigeon Pose sometimes makes me feel like I need to scream and just let it all go. So I do.

No matter your age, sex or degree of flexibility, it's never too late to stretch your hip flexor muscles. You'll also find yourself with improved mobility, flexibility and stability by practicing hip-openers bi-weekly or so. Some of my favorite asanas that are guaranteed to do the trick are High Lunge, Lizard Pose and Lotus Pose. This week I'd like to share a stretch with you that I recently learned. It has done a wonder on my hip flexors and shoulders. Be aware that this an intense hip opener and may require moderate stretching prior to attempting. Also, please excuse my goofy facial expressions!

Hip-Opening Stretch

1. Sit with your feet crossed and let your legs fall to either side at about a 45 degree angle.

2. Place your thumbs under your pits and place your hands on your chest, fingers pointing upwards. 

Make sure your elbows are outside of your knees.

3. As you inhale, keeping your spine elongated, squeeze your legs together.Your knees can be used as leverage to push your elbows closer together. This motion should cause your shoulder-blades to push outwards and the front of your shoulders inwards. Hold this pose for 3 seconds as you hold your breath.

4. Exhale and release to the starting position. Repeat 3-5 times.

The morning after this stretch, I find my hips fairly sore from all the release, so please keep your body in mind when practicing. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. If it does, try gradually increasing the number of repetitions of this stretch. After a few stretches, like Shakira, you'll start to feel it's right. ;)

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Earthbound Beauty Picks (With Ingredients You Can Pronounce!)

Woah, a blog post?! I bet you thought this blog was dead. Sorry for the unannounced hiatus, dear readers. The last few months have been jammed with 3 a.m. coffee and tea sessions, manic multitasking and a "too blessed to be stressed" mantra. Three months and 26 credit hours later, I am now a proud alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies! Now I'm itching to write my heart out and ecstatic to reconnect with you all.

What's next? My lease in the Magic City ends in July and I'm off to New England. Chris and I are taking a road trip this summer to narrow down our choices, although we are currently fond of Baltimore, Boston or New York suburbs. The decision ultimately depends on career opportunities, but we are open to suggestions. Comment below with your favorite city and something unique about it! What's something I should know about this city that I wouldn't be able to find online? No matter where we end up, green and gold will forever run through our veins. We'll also loudly and proudly exclaim, "Go Blazers!" whenever shot with a "Roll Tide." ;-) As for dropping the "y'all" contraction...well, we'll have to see about that one.

While preparing for the big move this summer, I came across mounds of beauty products. Makeup, lotion, hair serums, moisturizers, body washes, hair accessories, nail polish, and the list goes on... Worst off, I couldn't pronounce half the listed ingredients found in 90% of my stash that's now in the trash. If that's not a call for a new beginning, I don't know what is. I have since been minimizing and resorting to all-natural products. Bonus points if the product is multipurpose and only one ingredient! I only have 3 of my favorite beauty picks to share today, but I use all for multiple reasons and all three can be purchased for under $20. Here they are: 

Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone

Photo Credit

Cost: $5

Ingredients: Mineral Salts (Contains no Aluminum Chlorohydrate*)

It's embarrassing to admit, but I have terrible B.O. I have a fast metabolism and high energy due to my fiery pitta dosha (read more about doshas), so most deodorants last 3-5 hours. I've tried it all: stick, powder, gel, prescription, extra strength, men's, essential oil and coconut oil-based. Last week at Earth Fare I purchased a Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone. I never thought I'd be this excited about a product that controls body odor, but I finally found my match!

The 24-hour fragrance free Thai Crystal Deodorant Stone is well worth a try for $5. It must be moistened before use and glides on the skin, dries immediately, and leaves no residue. It also works well for foot odor. The best part is that it really lasts all day as advertised. After the end of a ten hour work day, I spent two hours practicing yoga. The next day it was 87°F and I spend three hours at Railroad Park and walked three miles. At the end of both days, there was no need to reapply. After two weeks of use, I have noticed a decrease in my body odor even without the deodorant stone.

*Aluminum Chlorohydrate is found in most deodorants. The FDA considers the use of this ingredient to be linked with Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer.

2. Coconut Oil

Cost: $5-10 

Ingredients: Coconut Oil

Most of my friends know my obsession with coconut oil. It's been used for nearly 2,000 years and is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal. It was even used in Asia for hydration during WWII when water supply was low. Obviously it's pretty useful. I use it daily for many purposes, so I've compiled a list of my top uses:

• Moisturizer/Lotion/Hair Masque
• Polish (Wood, leather, etc.)
• Cleaning
• Oil Pulling (read more here)
• Hydration
• Lubricant
• Sunscreen
• Makeup Remover

Lavender 

Cost: $4-25 per oz.

Ingredients: Lavender 

2014 marks the year I fell in love with lavender. This year also marks the first time I've used real lavender. Before I've only been around synthetic lavender, which makes me nauseous and headache-prone—the opposite of what the flower is known for. The moral of the story is to spend a few extra bucks and go with the authentic herb or oil. 

Lavender makes a relaxing herbal tea that promotes relaxation and sleep. Its aromatic powers are enough for me, so I sometimes keep a sachet of the dry herb near my bedside for restless nights. It also blends well with lotions and moisturizers to minimize acne, skin irritations and sore muscles. I am extremely susceptible to mouth ulcers, so I'm thankful for lavender's anti-bacterial, anti-microbial anti-viral properties. My favorite use of the oil is a simple disinfectant spray I make (8 oz. water, 10 drops of lavender, 5 drops of tea tree) to sanitize my toothbrush and Clarisonic. I haven't had a mouth ulcer ever since.

If  you've tried or plan to try any of my beauty picks I shared today, please comment and share your experience! If you haven't ventured off into the world of all-natural, minimalist personal care products, it's never too late to get hooked on a new beauty regimen. You'll likely find mineral salts, coconut oil and lavender listed on at least one ingredient label in your bathroom. Why not get down to the source and try one ingredient at a time to discover what truly works for you? I did, and now I am using less chemicals with more results. Best of all? My wallet is thicker and I feel (and hopefully look) fantastic!

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Haiku Haven

Yogi Vision

Illuminated beams;

Unforgiving rays strike, training

eyes to gaze beyond light.

A Bird's Breakfast

Its feathery neck jerks;

Self vs. self tug-o-war, until

the pink rat tail glides down.

Tree Hole

Hollow tree cavity:

the Devil’s mouth misplaced

in nature’s beauty. 

Drought
Microscopic vessels

of a velvety, violet bloom

thirst until shriveled.

Write Me A Haiku

This is a haiku;

A haiku composed for you,

without much ado.

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Magnetically Magnificent

Magnetism. One of the most basic natural laws simply consisting of an electrical charge between two objects. It's found in the sun, the stars, moon–even in you and me. Magnetism is found in every organ of the body. The therapeutic values of magnets were first discovered about 2,000 years ago by Chinese doctors. Probably not in the conventional way that involves horseshoe magnets or magnetic jewelry, but in a much larger-scaled process. It's an ongoing occurrence that involves connecting the body and the universe to promote self-healing, sustenance, and radiating bliss. ☀

My roommate, Yessy, and I at Books, Beans, and Candles where we discovered these peculiar green rocks' "magnetic tentacles."

What a beautiful phenomena it is for our planet earth to be so affected and enhanced by magnetic fields! Our earthly existence is methodically patterned after unbounded galaxies. Every cell contains a field of magnetic energy that utilizes corporeal unity to nourish flowing energy. The body's collaborative efforts allow for us to truly harmonize with all that surrounds us. I began practicing yoga on a daily basis just a couple months ago for a single life-changing reason: I honor my magnetic fields and all the interconnected creations around me.

Daily practice: Greet the day.

Rain, snow, sleet, or or shine...raise your arms and open your heart each morning to greet the sun. 

This can be done by standing up straight, on your knees, or however your body feels the most open.  

♡

1. Open up your chest with each inhale and lift your arms above you. Open up the heart even more by pointing your hands behind your head and gazing upwards. 

2. Feel the energy rising from your feet to your core, as it floats to your heart and reaches your crown. 

3. Exhale only positive energy back into the air. 

Smile, if you want! ☺ 

4. Once you're comfortable, begin extending the spine as you inhale. 

5. Exhale and...just be.

6. Repeat until greeting the sun feels invigorating yet natural. Focus in on the moment. By this point, a lot of yogis/yoginis feel the "yoga high." Hence why this has become a daily routine for many!

As the energy rises up your spine and as you oxygenate your body (a natural detoxification process), the stronger your magnetic field becomes. Thus, the universe welcomes and energizes your connection. Enjoy the natural high!

ॐ☯ ♥

Namaste. 

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