Louise Fisichella...
Louise Fisichella has studied Comparitive Religions,Yoga, nutrition and health for over 30 years
Yoga Made Weezie
YOGA & GRIEVING!
Several months ago I told you that I do a series of Yoga exercises called, “the Sun Salutation”. And I listed the many ways in which these simple set of stretches help the body, as well as the mind. I encourage everyone here in the Western Hemisphere to adopt a Western attitude towards Yoga in order to make it “do-able” as we like to say. This is what I have done for many years now, Yoga with a “just do it” attitude. Westernizing Yoga takes the mystery away from it and saves the Modern person time. That my fellow Yogi’s helps to take away the many excuses I have heard as to why people don’t learn Yoga and why people who “know” Yoga don’t do it.
Last Sunday morning I received a call informing me that one of my close friends of the past 21 years had died at the age of 44 years old, suddenly, tragically, and violently. It was a shock. What added to that shock was the fact that back in June this same person had narrowly escaped death in another wreck which left his leg severely injured. So, as we helped him with his recovery from that we noticed changes in him that we had been hoping to see for many years. He began asking about how to feed him self better, what vitamins would help his recovery, and if I thought that he could someday learn to meditate. The word of his death ended all the hope instantly for me. There would be no more improvement in my friend’s life.
Over the last eight days it has been very difficult to focus on ordinary everyday thoughts and disciplines. Meditation was often interrupted by tears as I made my way through the week. However, I did manage to do my Yoga routine all but three of those days. When I did manage to get my sets in, (I do 10) I realized that my muscles were much stiffer than usual. It was harder to bend, stretch, and it took longer to warm up.
I concluded that poisons and toxins were building up in my system all day and night because of my heightened state of emotional pain. On the days when I could get up and do my Yoga I felt better all day. The discipline of doing Yoga everyday for years and using it as a method of taking care of myself helped deal with the overall difficulty of getting thru the day. So, the “Sun Salutation” has become second nature for me, an act of self-nurturing!
Never would I have guessed what a blessing I was given back in 1977 when I was watching a PBS show called, “Lilia’s Yoga and You”! The fact that 31 years later I still greatly appreciate this simple form of self-care on a daily basis speaks volumes of effect it has had on me. I truly hope that you will go back and revisit my article on how to do the “Sun Salutation” in the Archives section, and download Yoga Man for a diagram on how to begin. Once you start you will not want to stop and you will find it will help you stay healthy on many levels.
Whether you are recovering from surgery, want to be a better athlete, add to your overall feelings of centeredness, or overcome grief, you can use these simple moves to enhance you health and life. And, best of all, you can easily teach this to your children, your loved ones, or even the people in your office this blessed act and pass it along as a coping mechanism that anyone of any age can do. I am always available to take questions if you get stuck, have doubt, or just want to double-check if you’re on the right track, at Louise@Higher-Ground.com for individual answers.
As always you can e-mail me and I will help guide you towards more learning and exploration of alternatives to traditional Western eating!
Contact Louise at Go Figure Body Works
E-mail: Louise Fisichella
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