Yoga - it's good for your back!

Two good friends of mine are experiencing serious back issues. Currently, they are seeing doctors and trying to determine exactly what the problem is with the back. They are going through examinations and MRI's. They've been prescribed medications and there's talk of potential surgeries. Now, I'm not a doctor. And, I'm not a Physical Therapist. But, I do know that yoga has been found to be beneficial for some people with low back pain. A recent article in the New York Times discusses the latest study that shows practicing yoga on a regular basis can help to relieve the symptoms of low back pain. You can read the full article here.

Now I want to give a "plug" to Peggy Cappy's Yoga for the Rest of Us - Back Care Basics DVD. I ordered two copies of this wonderful DVD for gifts and previewed it today. As with all of Peggy's DVD's, her explanations are clear and easy to follow. The program has six segments which include leg and back stretches for strengthening back muscles. As a bonus, she added restorative poses to help relax and bring comfort to the body. The total time for the DVD is 123 minutes but you can easily choose to do a short session by selecting a specific "scene" from the menu. This is a terrific DVD and if you have back issues - and your doctor has suggested exercises - this may be just what you need!

What I love about October

I follow several "yoga" blogs and get lots of yogic inspiration and ideas there. I'm borrowing a topic from Nadine today. She prepares a list of her favorite things called the "love" list. I'll give you my love list for October - and then you'll want to check out Nadine's list - and her lovely blog: http://nadinesyoga.blogspot.com/.

We recently moved from a house to a condo, so much of what I love about October is unique to this year. For the most part, though, the fall is such a beautiful season...what's not to love?

1. My birthday


2. Celebrating with a family dinner


3. Crisp, bright blue weather


4. Continuing to "down size" and declutter


5. Fixing up the new condo


6. The variety of apples that are available


7. The smell of zucchini bread baking in the oven


8. The season's first pot roast in the crock pot


9. Butternut squash with cinnamon


10. Wearing sweaters


11. My wedding anniversary - still going strong after 42 years!


12. Celebrating my daughter's birthday


13. Baking birthday cakes


14. Leaves starting to change colors


15. Discovering dried plums (prunes) are good for your bones


16. Ordering books online (Chair Yoga: Seated Exercises for Health & Well Being and on my Kindle, Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah)


17. Walks along the boardwalk


18. Watching the sunrise each morning and noticing the different colors


19. Checking out new restaurants and stores where I now live


20. Meeting new friends and neighbors

It's a start!

Our new place has a balcony overlooking Lynn Beach. From this perch, I can see Egg Rock which is named for the birds that nest and lay eggs there. It's an egg-shaped rock island in Nahant Bay. The ocean was calm and the weather fairly warm this morning. So, I was able to start my daily practice right on the balcony with a beautiful scene in front of me. A few sun salutations, warrior II, side angle stretch, triangle, chair and eagle poses - in no time at all, I felt renewed and refreshed. It's a start!!!!

My Daily Practice...

...is practically non-existent right now!!!! And, although I truly had lots going on these past few weeks, stepping on to my mat for even 5 minutes would no doubt have helped with the stress level. Yes, moving is stressful. We sold our home of 24 years and moved to a condo. We had boxes and milk crates filled with our "stuff" and frankly, I'm not sure where my yoga mat was! I did unearth it, though, and from this point forward, I intend to bring my practice back to where it should be...and will be more faithful to the "blog" as well. Namaste~