Don’t Panic—Do Yoga!

If Freud were around today, would he recommend yoga instead of analysis to help a patient with panic attacks? He just might. Sometimes it takes a celebrity to expose a sensitive topic in order for people to take notice. In this case, 26-year-old English actress, Samia Smith (of the popular “Coronation Street” television show) revealed that she’d been suffering from panic attacks since the age of eleven, and that yoga has helped her overcome this affliction. She began practicing a yoga regimen six days a week, which, she says, has helped relax her. The breathing aspect of yoga is the likely helper in relaxing the nervous system, which is key to helping calm a panic attack. This week’s blogger offers links to read further about yoga’s benefit to this unnerving condition. More at yoga-abode.com.

The Yoga of Eating

Many of the principles of yoga, including mindfulness, balance, breathing, preparation, connection, nourishment, and eliminating struggle, can apply to the yoga of eating. According to wellness expert, Peggy Hall, meal time should be approached with the same yogic mindset. In this recent video interview, she explains how to take the philosophical approach to yoga and apply it to food. This includes such practices as preparing to eat through ritualistic hand washing, acknowledging the nutritional aspects of the food, being mindful of portion and content, embracing balanced food choices, and working to eliminate the idea of food being the enemy. Hall is a yoga teacher who applies her belief system to many areas of her life, including food.

The Yoga Wall

Using a wall to do yoga isn’t something new but it is making a comeback in popularity. Studios all over are introducing “Yoga Wall” classes and YogaWall.com is selling products to create your own yoga wall practice at home. Yoga therapist Larissa Rogers, of Castle Hill Fitness in Austin, Texas, is seeing this ancient practice revived, with great results. Using a combination of belts, bars, and swings, students can take the pressure off their joints with wall yoga. “It allows the body to come into alignment without having to focus so much, perhaps, on holding the posture or putting a lot of muscular energy into the posture, because the wall supports the body,” said Rogers. Read more about it at kxan.com