Take the time to Breathe

As a Dance Major in college my life is nonstop Physically. I am in dance class for three hours,  I have school right after,on most days I am not out until 6pm and sometimes I may have a three hour rehearsal after school and on top of that I still have homework and a social life. With a schedule that is physically draining it is easy to get overwhelmed and become detached. 

My first semester as a college freshman was very stressful because I was doing all of that and not really taking care of my body. Around November 2012 I started to take time out for myself every morning and evening to just breath. I would turn on my relaxation music and lie down on my yoga mat in my room with the lights off. During this time I would take deep breaths in and out of my nose (nostril breathing) then in through my nose and out of mouth. I would repeatedly do this exercises in different body positions that felt good to me.

After a few days of doing deep breath exercises I noticed a change in my body and attitude. I woke up in the morning less tense and I had a good attitude through out the day. Most of all I was less stressed and my mind felt clear and organized.

I recommend everyone to find time in their day to do deep breathing exercises. Whether is be for 10-15 minutes or even and hour. It all depends on what you feel you need that day.

Here are some of the benefits deep breathing will do for you:

· Purifies the bloodstream, allowing a detoxification to take place in the body.
· More efficient digestion due to increased oxygen reaching the stomach.
· Improved health of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves due to increased oxygen.
· Skin becomes smoother and healthier with a reduction in facial wrinkles.
· Healthier more powerful lungs, increasing stamina.
· Rejuvenates glands in the body including pituitary and pineal glands.
· Allows heart to last longer and work more efficiently.
· Fights against heart disease by providing extra oxygen to your heart's tissues.
· Relaxes mind and body without inducing tiredness. You feel relaxed and energized at the same time.
· Releases tension and reduces stress.

From: http://voices.yahoo.com/the-vital-importance-deep-breathing-improving-205289.html

Poses you can do:

• Simply lying on your back with bent or straight legs
• Childs Pose
• Fetal position
• Butterfly

Finding music for Zen and Meditation:

Here is an example from YouTube. It is almost 2 hours of music that I would let play during my workout. That way I do not have to worry about making a playlist.

• Buy a CD (Target, Amazon, Ebay etc.)
• Search iTunes selection
• YouTube is always great for finding music and you can turn those videos into an mp3 and save them to the device of your choice.

There are many different styles of Zen Relaxation music like the harp style or the more upbeat style. I advise that you adventure around and see what you like.

Something so simple as taking the time to breathe can really make a healthy impact on your lifestyle.  

                                                                                                     -Amor, Trinity Renée

"To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." -Buddha

Positive Gain

Tomorrow, January 2,2013 is the annual Special K® 'Gain Day.' A day dedicated to empower women everywhere to weigh themselves and to not focus on what they want to lose, but what they want to gain.

This years commercial http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7wL5/kelloggs-special-k-gain-day-2012

I love the concept of this campaign because it is giving light to what is more important. We live in a very appearance forward culture. You are too big, small, short, tall, dark and it goes on and on. There are too many images and people telling us what we should look like instead of praising us for what we were given. 

As a young woman in this world I have had my struggles with appearance issues. It is hard, but I am growing everyday towards loving and accepting myself for who I Am. To be at war with yourself is a battle that is not worth fighting for. And I feel it is my duty to help other women realize their self-worth as well.

We should not have a phobia of getting on the scale because we are scared of the number that will flash back at us. I commend Special K® and others like Tyra Banks for taking a stand against this issue and working hard to help empower women. Being healthy and looking good should  not be all about the numbers. We should be more focused on what we can gain like happiness, confidence, energy, joy and drive.

                               -Amor, Trinity Renée

“What Will You Gain When You Lose?” -Special K®