Author: Tammy

Tai Chi May Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted on by Tammy

Practicing tai chi on a regular basis may significantly improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. There have been a number of studies on the benefits of practicing tai chi to improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis including joint pain, stiffness and weakness, and doing so may significantly improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, according Patrick B. Massey, M.D., Ph.D in an article for the Chicago Daily Herald.

As medical director for complementary and alternative medicine for the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, Massey explained that while there are a number of medical therapies proven to slow the progress of rheumatoid arthritis, such as anti-inflammatory medications, steroids and disease modifying medications specifically targeting the immune system, side effects often limit the use.

Physical therapies are beneficial and reduce the need for medication, but long-term compliance can be a problem. However, tai chi exercises often show better compliance, he explained in the article.

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art practiced primarily for health benefits, with slow, methodical and repetitive movements, which strengthen the tissues around the joints, Massey said. This can improve balance and strength, and also reduce pain. Over the past two decades, there is significant research published in the medical literature on the benefits of tai chi for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to the article.

A recent medical study published in the medical journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders re-examined the use of tai chi exercises in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and found there was the expected improvement in physical function, but patients also felt better, mentally, after practicing tai chi, according to the Daily Herald article. Stress levels were lower, energy levels were higher and overall mental outlook was brighter – so patients kept up with the practice because they actually felt better doing it.

“I strongly agree with the results of the study,” Massey said in the article. “In my experience, martial-art based exercises not only improve the physical condition, but in many cases have positive impact on the mental and emotional state. It simply feels good.”

Meditation Mob Movement Hits 130 Cities

Posted on by Tammy

Starting Thursday, August 25, and running to Sunday, August 28, thousands of people in more than 130 cities will meditate at government buildings and universities around the world, including Montreal, London, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Rome and Kenya, in a movement known as MedMob — or Meditation Mob.

MedMob began on January 30, 2011, when 60 people launched a meditation flash mob in Austin at the Texas State Capitol. By February, the Austin MedMob grew to 250 people and extended to seven other cities that hosted their own MedMobs. Now, eight months later, public meditations are planned for more than 130 cities.

“Our initial intention was to expose Austin to the power of meditation and invite people from all walks of life to join,” Patrick Kronfli, co-founder of MedMob said in a released statement. “It’s inspiring to see leaders around the world rise up to create the same experience, and it’s exciting to be part of a global movement committed to internal peace.”

On Thursday, August 25th at 5:30 pm, in Place Vauquelin next to Montreal’s City Hall, a large group of sitting meditators – open to anyone who would like to join — will sit to meditate with the intention of exuding an inner peace, strength, and happiness to brighten the day of every observer, according to Kronfli. The mediation is scheduled for an hour and will conclude with 10 minutes of a sound bath.

Research has shown that meditating in big groups creates an electro-magnetic wave that impacts the world around us. For more information, visit www.medmob.org.

Upcoming MedMob Dates:

September 21, 2011 – The International Day of Peace.

November 11, 2011 – 11/11/11 Unification Event

December 26, 2011 – 2011 Winter Solstice

Spirituality: There’s an App for That

Posted on by Tammy

Spiritual and self-help apps continue to emerge in the smartphone and tablet world – from meditation and relaxation to yoga, diet and an on-the-go gratitude journal.

The latest picks are from the Web site, appolicious, and come from a man known as AppSage. They are five personal growth and spirituality picks for the iPhone and iPad, and we wanted to share them since we think they are all great options!

I Ching HD – For tarot, astrology and anyone interested in future predictions, the I Ching has been around for more than 4,000 years. Using the traditional book, users would throw coins to discover the wisdom, but not it can be done virtually – very cool!

Meditate – Meditation Timer – Ever peek your eye open during meditation to check on the time? Or go so deep you lose track? Instead of spending money on an actual meditation timer – as many do exist – this app lets you take it with you wherever you go, and is much more cost effective since its only $2.99!

Stress Free With Deepak Chopra – This is Chopra’s first iPad app offers six lessons on how to release stress and become more productive and fulfilled, according to AppSage.

iBlueSky – This mindmapping app for iPhone or iPad lets you map your train of thought. It can change the way you think!

Self-Help Classics Universal Edition – This offers 30 complete books from the top in personal development such as Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill and Ben Franklin! And all for only 99 cents!

Thanks AppSage and appolicious – we will be adding these to our iPhone today!

Dr. Oz Reveals Products He Can’t Live Without

Posted on by Tammy

If you didn’t get a chance to tune in to the Dr. Oz Show today, you missed Dr. Oz’s Hot List, featuring products he can’t live without for health and wellness. From an amazing vegetable drink blender to the ideal mattress, Dr. Oz took the audience through a number of products – and then gifted them all with each product! (Yes, we must get tickets to this show!)

Here is the list of wellness products he revealed:

Breville Juice Fountain Plus – Dr. Oz drinks a ‘green drink’ every morning filled with fruits and vegetables (you can get the recipe at the show’s website) and uses this juicer to make it. He even showed how you can add a lemon with the rind still on!)

Vital Choice Wild Alaskan Salmon – Delivered to your home, these salmon are flash frozen soon after harvest to preserve the quality.

Tuffy Tea Steeper – Available in a variety of colors, and completely collapsible for storage, this silicone tea steeper allows you to make loose tea on the go!

Trader Joe’s Organic Popcorn – This popcorn is made with olive oil with no trans fats or cholesterol, said Dr. Oz. And it’s only 130 calories for two cups! It was the most affordable item in the show at only $1.79 per bag!

Merrell Encore Breeze Slip-ons – Dr. Oz said every day he slips on his scrubs, he has these on his feet! They cushion the foot, and are available for both men and women.

Dr. Breus Signature Bed – This bed, available from Sleepys automatically adjusts the temperature of the bed based on how hot or cool you are, said Dr. Oz.

Music Therapy Proves Helpful in Clinical Trials

Posted on by Tammy

It seems music therapy is growing in popularity for its help with many diseases and conditions from depression to cancer, according to an article on Allvoices.com. Many health experts advocate that the rhythm of music produces a calming effect on people whether they realize it or not, and is actually used in a variety of clinical settings to help improve a patients psychological and physical well-being. Treatments include patients listening to pre-recorded music, or the use of music therapists.

A new Cochrane systematic review, headed by Dr. Joke Bradt, associate professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions in Philadelphia, involved researchers who concentrated on trials with cancer patients who were offered music or music therapy.

They examined findings from 1,891 patients who participated in 30 trials – 13 with a trained music therapist and 17 with pre-recorded music. The results showed that music produced a remarkable decrease in anxiety based on clinical anxiety scores in comparison to those who had received standard treatments, and some showed improvement in mood and pain, according to the report. Additionally, smaller benefits had also been seen in heart and respiratory rates and blood pressure.

The findings advocate music interventions could be useful in patients with cancer as an alternative therapy, Dr. Bradt said in the report. There is also some evidence which shows that using music therapy along with conventional treatments can aide in decreasing pain and relieves nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, the report stated.

Music therapy has also been used for Alzheimer patients at the Institute of Music and neurological Function at the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services in New York, to keep patients calm and aide them in improving memories, and Board Certified Music Therapist, Elizabeth Pociask, uses it for new patients to calm their infants, according to Allvoices.com

Elevated Existence has reviewed and recommended Music for the Mozart Effect in the past, and it still remains one of our favorites – whether looking to relax, sleep better or increase energy and focus. There are CDs for teens, adults and infants, each aimed at producing a different effect. If you haven’t already – give them a try!

RECIPE: The Benefits of Adding Avocado

Posted on by Tammy

Although considered high in fat, Avocado offers a number of health benefits that warrant adding it to your diet. Aside from its wide range of anti-inflammatory benefits, in several research studies, it has been shown to prevent the occurrence of cancers in the mouth, skin and prostate gland.

Additionally, it has been show to help significantly with the absorption of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene. For example, if you have a salad with romaine lettuce, spinach carrots, research shows that by adding one cup of avocado, absorption of carotenoids will be increased by 200 percent to 400 percent, according to The World’s Healthiest Foods Web site. The same is true in the case of salsa, which is why we are offering you are recipe for Avocado Salsa!

It’s also important to note that the method you use to peel an avocado can make a difference to your health. Research shows the greatest concentration of carotenoids in avocado occurs in the dark green flesh just beneath the skin, so you want to make sure you don’t slice to far into it. The California Avocado commission recommends the “nick and peel” method where you peel the avocado with your hands like a banana, according to The World’s Healthiest Foods.

Enjoy the below recipe for Avocado Salsa – use it as a dip for tortilla chips or toast
wedges, or even top a piece of grilled fish with it!

Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:
2 avocados
1 scallion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons chopped green jalapenos from a jar or can
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
Halve the avocados, remove the pits, and then, using the tip of a sharp knife, cut lines down the flesh of each half, about a 1/4-inch apart and then the same across. Turn the avocado halves inside out, or otherwise release the green cubes into a bowl, then tumble in the scallion, chopped jalapenos, salt to taste, lime juice and 3/4 of the cilantro. Toss gently to mix.

Taste to see if any more salt is needed before scattering with the remaining cilantro and taking to the table.

Enjoy!