Nunc nec dignissim ipsum, non imperdiet mi. Donec ac est malesuada, sollicitudin est id, mollis enim. Praesent tincidunt nunc eros, sed ultrices nulla sodales nec. Proin pretium consequat diam, quis dictum lectus finibus sit amet. Curabitur convallis libero ut suscipit imperdiet. Pellentesque dignissim diam risus, eget elementum magna vehicula at. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Vivamus vitae tempor ligula. Morbi eget eros dictum, sagittis metus ut, dignissim mi. Nunc ultricies, nunc ut dignissim iaculis, augue neque faucibus augue, ac tempus urna augue ac tortor. Etiam nec diam eu magna laoreet malesuada elementum vel lacus. Fusce ut purus sem. Duis commodo orci at venenatis tincidunt. Nam nunc massa, imperdiet a massa eget, rutrum consectetur urna. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Duis non lobortis neque.

Aliquam erat volutpat. Praesent porta pharetra ipsum vitae bibendum. Quisque finibus dolor augue, eu fringilla diam elementum eu. Ut blandit eros ut arcu posuere, vel scelerisque ex vulputate. Cras nec convallis erat. Ut at dolor tellus. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Nunc at dignissim erat. Etiam nec elit tempor orci consequat volutpat non ut orci. Etiam quis sem placerat, lacinia sapien sit amet, venenatis risus.

But did you know that you can also protect yourself from the “Inside”?

Recent research is making the connection between the immune defenses in the gut and the health of lungs in certain cases of COVID-19. They found the severity of hypoxemia was strongly correlated to the expression levels of immune cells, and additionally that the proportion of probiotics inthe gut was significantly reduced. See article link below.

Yes, I am talking about the immune system, which has strong connections to your gut and what you put in it (as well as your stress level, which is often driven by thought, but that is a topic for another blog. In the meantime).  While, I am well aware of the slew of supplements reported to “boost” your immune system, it is the food you eat that has a huge impact on creating a balance and healthy variety of gut microbiome.  Here is what the MDs recommend to maintain a healthy gut:

1.      Keep it clean – Wash your fruits and veggies before you eat them – especially with “Rona” on the run.  Eat your produce while it is fresh for the highest nutritional value.  To reduce likelihood of pesticides in your food, eat organic when you can (especially: spinach, green beans, green onions, apples, peaches, pears, and berries)

2.      Eat a Rainbow – Mix things up with a variety of plant-based foods, such as fruits and veggies, seeds, nuts, and whole grains.  Check out the produce section and look for different colors. For long-lasting storage option, frozen fruit and veggies hold a good amount of their nutritional value, as well as canned beans and fruit (organic and without additives). Check out these recipes for meatless protein.

3.      Not all fats are created equal – Avocados, nuts, lean fish, high-quality olive oil, flaxseed oil are examples of healthy fats.  Steer away from hydrogenated oils

4.      Not a Vegetarian? – eat lean meats or fish with relatively low fat content (no skin and trimmed of the fat).  You might be surprised to know that trimmed pork chops and lean beef are included here.  Ideally, your diet should be heavy on the plant-based, with small amounts of meat.

5.      Make your Own — Avoid processed foods, white flour, sugar and artificial sweeteners.  And, when you prepare your own meals, the sights and smells give your gut the signals it needs to get ready to take in the delish dish you are making. The Instant Pot can make it a bit easier.

6.      Take in Live Microbes — also known as probiotics and come in the form of natural yogurt (don’t forget to check the sugar content! like Siggi’s), kefir, Kombucha, and fermented veggies such as kimchi and sauerkraut.

And manage a healthy balance of work, rest and play (aka: exercise — try this or this for old-fashioned fun)

Well wishes to you and yours!

Click her for the technical reading

As a Yoga Therapist, certified with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), I work with people one-on-one dealing with the individual challenges that accompany disabling circumstances. I apply yoga philosophy and techniques to improve well-being across all layers of the whole person, including: physical, physiological, mental/brain, emotional and spiritual, because they all affect one another. Thoughts affect emotions which drive neuological and chemical reactions in the physiological and physical person — the research and science is very clear on this.

In a Yoga Therapy session, we can use a variety of techniques to help reintegrate the person’s human system, such as:

1. Modified postures

2. Individually tailored breath practices

3. Specific sounds and meaningful words

4. Mindfulness of the moment, environment, self-talk and internal sensations

5. Meditation on an object that supports the person’s goal

6. Visualization and positive thinking toward a meaningful endeavor

7. Guidance in adjusting unhealthy though patterns

According to IAYT, Yoga Therapy is defined as: “The process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of yoga.” Yoga Therapy is about helping people to have more self-awareness and understanding on all layers so that they can have more license and authority over their own well-being.

While I specialize in neurological and brain dysfunction (such as: ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Parkinsons, dementia, Post-Stroke, brain injury, and executive dysfunction), these techniques can be applied to a wide variety of challenges and across the lifespan. I have worked with a 2-month-old and a 102-year-old using some of these same principles and techniques.

The power of your thoughts are strong. YOUR BODY IS LISTENING!.

So, to celebrate Global Yoga Therapy Day, I encourage you to find one thing that you are grateful that your body or mind can do. Yes it is difficult when you have serious challenges facing you — and even the minor ones too. You might find you like this idea and make it a daily habit.

For me?…. Today, I am grateful to have the training, persistance and mindset (ohhh yes, daily effort) to share with you about the power of Yoga Therapy.

– Lorelei Woerner, OTR/L, C-IAYT