So says a study reported in the New York Times by Natalie Angier:

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen found that when people were asked to engage in a bit of mental time travel, and to recall past events or imagine future ones, participants’ bodies subliminally acted out the metaphors embedded in how we commonly conceptualized the flow of time. Read more here…

Thanks to Ken Homer via his Twitter feed @Ken_Homer.

Photo courtesy George Eastman House on Flickr.

As a massage therapist and as a regular practitioner of yoga, Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff had to be mine the minute I saw it. The incredible image on the cover of the book is an example of the detailed illustrations that are found throughout. The illustrations were created by having models perform yoga poses on sturdy plexiglass supported in the air on ladders, with a photographer stationed underneath.

Chapter 1 launches into a detailed description of the physiology and anatomy of breathing. Kaminoff founded The Breathing Project in 2001, and focuses a great deal of his teaching on the importance of breathing in relation to spinal health. Chapter 1 is available online through Google Books. It’s an enlightening read all on its own.

Chapter 2 is a short introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the spine, followed by Chapter 3 where Kaminoff discusses the basic yoga postures and the format of the rest of the book.

This isn’t the kind of book you read front to back. I use it more for reference. You can turn to the section about a specific pose and find the detailed anatomical illustration highlighting the muscles that are working or lengthening. Kaminoff offers information on what aspects of the pose may cause challenges as well as how the breath can be used more efficiently.

This book seems essential for yoga teachers, but I think it also serves as a great reference for bodyworkers. Even if your clients aren’t practicing yoga, you could show them the benefits that yoga provides to all the muscles and joints of the body.

Photo courtesy the National Media Museum

It doesn’t matter what your practice is. You could be a runner, a yogini, a weight lifter. You could be taking aerobics classes, moving on an elliptical trainer, or walking down your street.

Anything you do is an opportunity to bring attention to what you are doing, how it is making your body feel, how it is affecting your thinking.

Your mind and your body are always going to be one. What are they saying to each other?

Well, it looks like neither aikido nor Pilates are getting the kind of scientific attention that tai chi and yoga have gotten. I found mostly anecdotal reports on the benefits. Maybe it’s time to see if the self-reported benefits are measurable in scientific terms. Granted, I think anecdotal evidence is enough for some situations, but people like the scientific studies, too.

Aikido

• Increases strength, flexibility, and balance
• Decreases anxiety
• More advanced practitioners experience greater aerobic fitness

For article about history, see American Fitness; Mar/Apr2005, Vol. 23 Issue 2, p24-26.

Pilates

• Increases core muscle strength and flexibility
• Increases stability and balance
• Tones and strengthens pelvic floor muscles

Can Pilates Do It All (this is a direct link to a PDF file) from American Council on Exercise

Aikido in Columbus

• Aikido of Columbus
• Aikido School of Central Ohio

Pilates in Columbus

• Alphastate
• Pilates Innovations
• Pilates Studio of Central Ohio
• Ultimate Form Fitness

Neither of these lists is comprehensive. Classes can be found throughout the city, at YMCAs, community centers, hospitals, fitness centers, etc. If you’re just starting out with either of these, I feel it’s best to go to a studio that is solely focused on that practice. When you do that you are more likely to receive teaching that enhances your experience.

The lists below show the benefits of these practices. What’s great is that Columbus has many competent, experienced teachers. Find your form and enjoy!!
Tai Chi

• Increases lower and upper body strength
• Increases lower and upper body flexibility
• Improves balance
• Has shown positive improvements for people suffering from ankylosing spondylitis, breast cancer, stroke, and hypertension, as well as other diseases and disorders.

From Harvard Women’s Health Watch; May 2009, Vol. 16 Issue 9, p2-4.

Yoga

• Decreases anxiety and depression
• Increases pain tolerance (a measure of ability to deal with stress in general)
• Increases flexibility and strength
• Has shown positive improvements for people suffering from breast cancer, HIV, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, symptoms of menopause.

From Harvard Mental Health Letter; Apr 2009, Vol. 25 Issue 10, p4-5, and Massage Magazine; Oct 2008, Issue 149, p94-94.

Tai Chi in Columbus:

• WiseWays
• Monkeys Retreat Tai Chi Center
• Franklin Park Conservatory

Yoga in Columbus:

• Balanced Yoga
• Center for Wholeness
• Grow Yoga
• WiseWays
• Yoga Factory
• Yoga on High

Neither of these lists is comprehensive. Tai Chi and yoga classes can be found throughout the city, at YMCAs, community centers, hospitals, fitness centers, etc. If you’re just starting out with either of these, I feel it’s best to go to a studio that is solely focused on that practice. When you do that you are more likely to receive teaching that enhances your experience.

A friend shared this link with me back in November and I’ve been making the syrup ever since. It’s really quite tasty, unless you’re six years old. Then you drink it and make faces about it:

Mountain Rose Herbs: How To Make Elderberry Syrup

I like to make the syrup and then with the leftover berries make tea.

The elderberry has many health benefits. It contains compounds that improve eyesight, provide much needed antioxidants, and, best of all, boost immunity.

There are some products out there that sell the extracted compounds for around $12 or $26, depending.

I buy the elderberries at the Clintonville Community Market, where they are sold in bulk for about $13 a pound. I get about a cup and it costs maybe $2.

Yeah, everyone is talking about it: the new year. Resolutions are flying all across the internet. Most likely they’ll get lost or misplaced.

And, you know what, it’s ok if they do. As long as you’re breathing you can start over. In ashtanga, the teachers would say, “All is becoming. All is practice.”

It’s about paying attention. It’s about building from what you have already accomplished. It’s about being ok with mistakes.

I’m not one much for offering advice here, but I have opinions like anyone else. I suggest being gentle with yourself. You know what you enjoy, you know where you want to go. You’ll get there, with practice.

And if you don’t make it by spring or summer or fall or next year, begin again.

Checking in on my Twitter stream, I found out there’s a Holiday Trail of Lights at Lake Hope State Park. I didn’t know where Lake Hope was or anything else about it, but walking a trail at night and having motion activated lights turn on sounded fun.

Some research showed that Lake Hope was nestled southwest of Nelsonville and pretty darn close to Athens, too. That’s a decent day trip.

Then I found out they have cottages … that are open all year round.

On a whim I reserved one of the Furnace cottages. And we were set for a trip on Saturday.

We left town in the late afternoon after taking care of the Saturday stuff. High Street was packed. As we drove past Target, my 6-year-old son asked, “Why are there so many cars at Target?” When I told him, his response was, “I wouldn’t want to be *there*!”

Neither would I.

As it turns out, getting out of town into the hills of southeastern Ohio was a great idea. As soon as we hit Lake Hope Rd., I felt a relaxation that I didn’t know was missing. Just trees to look at. All bare so you can see the rise and fall of the hills.

The cabin was warm when we got there and we could see the sun setting over the hills from the living room. The next morning we walked down to the lake to watch the steam roll around on the surface.

Getting to see trees out the window, spot a pileated woodpecker, and try to guess what critter made the only ripples on the lake, moved me to silence and contemplation rather than towards the next item on my to-do list.

That’s a good day.

BTW, we skipped the Trail of Lights. We’re not list-checkers when it comes to relaxing.

So much to plan for, so much to buy, or not buy. Places to go, people to see. Eat, drink, BE MERRY, dammit!!

Well, if it’s all too much and you just need a break, it might be ok to check out some restorative yoga. Especially if you haven’t ever done yoga before and you’re frightened someone might make you do parivrtta surya yantrasana.

Classes are being held all over town, because the studios know it’s what you need.

Check out the schedules at:

• Center for Wholeness

• Balanced Yoga

• Yoga on High

• Harmony House Wellness Center

This is a talk by Dr. Kevin Barrows, Director of the Mindfulness Programs at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. He covers a variety of ways to approach mind/body health and the practices that focus on it: