Yoga Poses to Boost Metabolism

Posted on by Tammy

In a recent article on Yahoo Sports, 10 yoga poses were highlighted as ways to boost the metabolism, and since we are huge fans of yoga in general, we wanted to share them!

Yoga works to increase metabolism by building muscle – without the need for weights or resistance bands!

Here are the poses shared in the article:

Twisted Chair Pose – This aids in increasing circulation, works all the muscles in the body and awakens internal organs, the article stated. It also improved digestion!

Locust Pose – This back bend builds muscles in the lower back and legs, while increasing energy.

Bow Pose – Another back bend that can help with anxiety, fatigue and minor back pain, according to Yahoo.

Eagle Pose – This pose builds lean muscle in the legs, and also helps with digestion and increased concentration.

Crescent Lunge Pose – With this pose, you will increases the heart rate, tone the legs and stretch the hips.

Bridge Pose – This pose massages the thyroid gland because the chest is moved up toward the chin, the article explained. The thyroid creates the hormones that control metabolism, so this can help the body burn more calories.

Plow Pose – As an inversion pose, this raises circulation in the adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands.

Shoulder Stand – Another inversion and similar to the Plow Pose, with similar benefits as well, the report stated.

Fish Pose – This pose relaxes the body by opening the neck – where many people carry stress.

Mindfulness Meditation Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis, Study Says

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Practicing mindfulness meditation has shown a reduction in stress and fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new study published by the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

Researchers evaluated 67 patients (ages 20 to 70) with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis for at least 12 months, and patients were randomly assigned to participate in either 10 group sessions of mindfulness exercises over 15 weeks, plus a booster session 6 months after the end of the course, or to standard care plus a CD containing similar mindfulness exercises for home use, an emaxhealth report explained.

During the mindfulness sessions, patients were led by trained professionals and encouraged to deal with their limitations and emotions, and to practice awareness. Creative exercises including music, drawing and guided imagery were also part of the sessions, the report stated.

The results showed people who attended the sessions showed less stress and fatigue – specifically 11 of the 13 patients who had had high stress scores before attending the sessions subsequently scored lower at the 12-month follow-up.

Fatigue levels also were significantly reduced at 12 months among the patients who participated in mindfulness compared with the control group, who reported no change.

According to the authors of the rheumatoid arthritis study, their findings “indicate that the participants may have incorporated some mindfulness strategies into their daily lives and that these strategies have strengthened their ability to respond to their stressful experience in a more flexible way,” the report stated.

Megan Fox Shares Meditation Routine

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In a recent article for the Belfast Telegraph in the U.K., actress Megan Fox talked about exercising her mind through her practice of meditation, which calms her body and keeps her focused.

“I also meditate. I took classes and have gotten pretty good at it,” she said in the report. “I can stay under and focus for 30 minutes. I put lavender on my forehead.”

Fox also mixes lavender oil with vanilla oil for a fragrance, “as they smell really good together,” she said.

Meditation Technique Helps Breast Cancer Survivors

Posted on by Tammy

Scientists at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing found a meditation technique that can help breast cancer survivors improve their emotional and physical well-being, according to a report by Psychcentral.com.

The results of a study done by researchers, Yaowarat Matchim, a former nursing doctoral student, Jane Armer, professor of nursing, and Bob Stewart, professor emeritus of education and adjunct faculty in nursing, called “Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Health Among Breast Cancer Survivors,” was published in the Western Journal of Nursing Research.

Researches found that breast cancer survivors’ health improved after they learned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which incorporates meditation, yoga, and physical awareness, the report stated.

“Post diagnosis, breast cancer patients often feel like they have no control over their lives,” Armer said in the report. “Knowing that they can control something — such as meditation — and that it will improve their health gives them hope that life will be normal again.”

The university’s MBSR program consists of group sessions over eight to 10 weeks, where participants practice meditation skills, discuss how their bodies respond to stress, and learn coping techniques.

Researchers found survivors who learned MBSR lowered their blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate, and their moods improved. Also, their level of mindfulness increased after taking the class, Armer said.

“Mindfulness-based meditation, ideally, should be practiced every day or at least on a routine schedule,” she said in the report, explaining the approach works best as a compliment to other treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Five Resolutions for a Spiritual New Year

Posted on by Tammy

Every year we make resolutions with the intention of “getting it right” this year. We vow to lose weight, join a gym or quit smoking, but it seems by the time January 2 rolls around, we already doubt our ability to keep them. And by the second or third week of the month they are a distant memory.

This year, instead of making your usual resolutions, try a few that will connect you with your higher self, and with the Divine source inside us all. If you start here, the other stuff will fall into place.

Here are five spiritual resolutions worth making and keeping this year:

1. Spend time quieting your mind every day. Meditation, whether using a mantra or simply concentrating on your breath, can help you connect to the truth and strength within. It will raise your vibration, lower your blood pressure and improve your life in countless ways.

2. Every morning when you wake up and every evening when you go to sleep, check in with your angels and spirit guides. Thank them for their guidance and ask them to open your eyes, ears and heart to the messages and signs they send you throughout the day — then pay attention to them when they come your way!

3. Create a gratitude journal and write down five things you are grateful for each day. Then write down five things you want to attract in your life as if you have already received them, and thank the Divine for sending them into your life.

4. Come up with at least five ways to give back – to your friends, family, community or the world. Whether you volunteer at a local community center, nursing home or hospital; create a family game night where once a month you come together with family to laugh, love and have fun; or donate to a charity such as Habitat for Humanity, or your local PBS Television station, do something to give back without expecting anything in return.

5. Make a list of affirmations to say to yourself as you are getting ready for the day, or getting ready for bed. Concentrate on topics where you are trying to manifest something, or an area of your life you want to improve. For example, for abundance and money, “Signs of abundance are all around me, and money flows to me easily and often.” For health and healing, “My body is healthy, whole and complete. I feel better with each passing day. All is well.”

Happy New Year from Elevated Existence! May this year be filled with blessings and love for us all!

Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
www.elevatedexistence.com

Spirituality Most Important Thing for Bass Player Nikki Sixx

Posted on by Tammy

Base player in the rock band Motley Crue, and now in his own band Sixx: A.M., Nikki Sixx recently spoke to the New York Post about what he holds most important to him in his life. And spirituality topped the list.

“Naturally the way it works is: Spirituality, so if I’m centered spiritually and really in tune with more than myself – a higher power so to speak. Then my sobriety: I can’ stay sober if I don’t have some kind of spirituality. Then after that comes relationships, etc. But really those top three are the most important,” he said in the article.

Sixx also spoke about writing, explaining that he journals as a way to stay centered. “For me, writing is a way to vent and work stuff out,” he said. “I’ve always believed that journal writing and diary writing is important to being centered as a person. I still write a journal. I’ve got to work it out on paper sometimes before I work it out in my mind. I work it out, and I’m always solving problems.”

For more on the role spirituality plays in recovery from addiction, read our award-winning article “Searching for Spirit.”