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  • Beat Stress by Breathing like a Yoga

    How to Breathe Like a Yoga Master



    You don't have to vacation in the Himalayas to learn to breathe like a Buddha. From the Pranayama tradition of yoga comes the "Complete Breath," which is a relaxing way to beat stress and improve your state of mind.

    Steps


    1. Lie flat while you are down on your back on the floor, a comfortable mat, or a firm mattress.
    2. Place your hands on your abdomen an inch or two apart just below the navel, with your fingertips facing inward and your palms down.
    3. Inhale through the nose and begin expanding the abdomen.
    4. Continue inhaling. When the abdomen rises slightly, begin allowing the chest to expand and the abdomen to fall.
    5. When the chest rises slightly, begin exhaling. Allow the abdomen to continue to fall.
    6. Continue exhaling. As the chest empties, allow the abdomen to begin to rise again.
    7. Repeat without pausing.


    Tips


    • It can be tricky to get the hang of this at first, but it helps to imagine the breathing cycle as a circle. During each cycle, the chest and abdomen rise and fall in a smooth, uninterrupted manner.
    • Each inhalation/exhalation cycle should require several seconds to complete. Use a pace that is comfortable for you, but the deeper and slower you are able to breathe, the better.


    Warnings


    • If you begin to feel light-headed or experience other unusual phenomena, discontinue the exercise.

    For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:


    To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:



    For high quality, all-natural, herbal nutritional supplements:

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Hydrotherapy PDF Print E-mail

Hydrotherapy

hydrotherapy alternative medicineHydrotherapy or hydrothermal therapy is the use of water to revitalize health and maintain well-being. It is based on the mechanical and thermal effects of water on certain parts of the body such as to stimulate the immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, tone the body, and provide pain relief. Hydrotherapy treatments include saunas, steam baths, foot baths, sitz baths, wraps, steam inhalation, colon irrigation, and the application of cold and hot water compresses.

There is a physiological explanation for hydrotherapy. When cold water is applied to the body, it causes superficial blood vessels to constrict, shunting the blood to internal organs. Conversely, hot water causes blood vessels to dilate triggering detoxification and waste removal from body tissues. While cold water is stimulating and invigorating, hot water is relaxing and soothing. Alternating hot and cold water decreases inflammation, improves elimination, and stimulates circulation. Water in motion stimulates touch receptors on the skin, boosting blood circulation and releasing tight muscles. Additionally, underwater submersion relieves the body from the forces of gravity, minimizing stress on joints and internal organs. Furthermore, hydrotherapy affects the nerve impulses that influence stress hormone production. As such, hydrotherapy is effective in stress management therapies.

The History of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy has existed for centuries and has been used in the treatment of disease and injury by many cultures including those of ancient Greece, China, Rome, Japan, Central America, and the Middle East. The word “Jacuzzi” actually comes from the ancient Mayan culture of Central and South America. Ancient bath ruins have been discovered in Pakistan that date back as far as 4500BC. Evidence of the use of hydrotherapy techniques is documented as early as the first century.

Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century Bavarian priest, is said to be the father of modern hydrotherapy. Kneipp believed that disease could be cured by using water to detoxify the body. He began treating his parishioners with cold water applications after he himself had been cured of tuberculosis with the same methods. Kneipp wrote extensively about his experiences and opened several hydrotherapy clinics, many of which still exist today. Hydrotherapy is currently very popular in Europe and Asia in the form of hot springs and mineral baths. In North America, hydrotherapy is often recommended by naturopathic and doctors of alternative medicine.