Tap Into a Better Feeling

Can such a simple act as “tapping” make you feel better? According to the tenets of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), tapping is like an acupuncture treatment without needles. By using your fingers and gently tapping your body, with a concentration on the face, neck, and shoulder area, you may be able to reduce tension, lighten a somber mood, relieve anxiety, and even find relief from more serious issues such as depression and addictions. The theory is that the gentle pulsing activates the energy meridians in the body and releases stuck energy, allowing emotional and physical healing. See the sample video of someone engaging in this technique.

Yoga for “The Change”

In light of medical evidence that hormone replacement therapy is not ideal for treating symptoms of menopause, women are looking to other coping sources. Yoga might be one of them. A new yoga class in the Philippines is specifically designed to help women deal with the physical and emotional changes associated with menopause. Though the workshop claims to be the first of its kind, there are a number of articles and DVDs available in the U.S. that explore the link between yoga and its benefits for menopausal and post-menopausal women. Linda Naulty, the teacher of the class, credits yoga for staving off bone density loss, inducing relaxation to treat stress associated with menopause, and sharpening focus and improving concentration through balancing poses. Read more about it at www.showbizandstyle.inquirer.net.

Turning Your Health Upside Down

Challenging the laws of gravity is often explored in advanced yoga classed where inversion poses are practiced. This may include headstand, handstand, shoulder stand, and some of the more common asanas such as forward bend and downward-facing dog. Some yogis even purchase bars to hang from and inversion tables to assist with these poses. Inversion teachers attribute a myriad of benefits to being upside down, especially to the lymphatic, nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. They have been reported to clear congestion, help with circulatory issues, and increase blood flow to all the organs. In a recent article in The American Chronicle, one chronic back pain sufferer swears by inversion therapy, citing a number of sources to back his claims that it cures back pain. This is an instance where what yogis have known for years has gotten its mainstream corroboration. Read about it at www.americanchrinicle.com.