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Yoga en meditatie zweverig? Nee hoor! Gelukkig zien steeds meer mensen de voordelen ervan in. Want waarom wel op je lichaam letten maar niet op je geestelijke welzijn? Deze twee zijn namelijk onlosmakelijk met elkaar verbonden! In dit artikel leggen we uit waarom yoga en meditatie zo goed voor je zijn. 

Lichaam en geest in balans

Ons lichaam en ons mentale welzijn zijn met elkaar verbonden. Goed voor je lichaam zorgen en op je voeding letten zijn belangrijk maar als je niets aan het mentale stuk doet dan is er geen balans. En juist die balans is nodig voor je totale gezondheid. 

Met behulp van yoga en/of meditatie leer je de basis van stress te tackelen. Je bent je meer bewust van je gedachten en je leert hoe je hiermee om kunt gaan. 

Zo ben jij de baas over je gedachten en niet je gedachten de baas over jou!

Klinkt dat niet heerlijk? De eerste stap richting balans is een feit!

Maar er is nog meer. Wanneer je dagelijks yoga beoefent of mediteert merk je al snel veel meer voordelen. We noemen er een aantal:

Je ademhaling wordt rustiger en dieper

Dit bevordert je concentratie. Bovendien is dit goed voor je organen want de toevoer van bloed en zuurstof nemen toe. 

Je nachtrust verbetert

Je zult al snel merken dat je makkelijker in slaap valt én dieper en rustiger slaapt. Zo wordt je uitgerust en vol energie wakker.

Je lichaam uit de stressmodus

Wanneer je stress hebt schakelt je lichaam over in de “stressmodus”. Spanning in hoofd, nek en schouders zijn hier een herkenbaar voorbeeld van. Maar ook buikpijn (je organen functioneren minder), oppervlakkige ademhaling en slapeloosheid komen vaak voor. Als jij leert hoe je om kunt gaan met stressvolle situaties, hoe je in je lichaam en bij jezelf kunt blijven, dan kan je lichaam uit die stressmodus. 

Oftewel pak je meditatiekussen of yoga maten ga aan de slag!

Moet je persé allebei doen? Yoga én meditatie? 

Nee dat hoeft niet. Veel voordelen behaal je zowel met yoga als door te mediteren. Er is echter ook verschil. 

Met yoga train je je lichaamsbewustzijn. Je leert op welke plekken in je lijf de spanning zich opslaat én hoe je dit kunt loslaten. Je fysieke balans versterkt en je bent makkelijker in het hier en nu. Een heel belangrijk voordeel van yoga: je leert omgaan met fysieke ongemakken in lastige houdingen. Als je dat op je yogamat kan, dan kan je dat in het dagelijks leven ook makkelijker.

Tijdens het mediterentrain je als het ware je hersenen. Je leert dat gedachten komen en gaan. Jij hebt controle over die gedachten, over wat je er wel en niet mee doet. Je zelfbewustzijn groeit. 

De combinatie van beiden heeft wel meerwaarde. Met alleen mediteren sla je een groot deel van je lichaam over. En met alleen yoga kan het maar zo zijn dat je jouw gedachten niet voldoende kunt controleren. 

Tip: Kijk eerst wat bij jou past. Begin klein, met iets wat mogelijk is. Zo merk je wat voor jou prettig is en wat past in jouw leven. Je kan beter dagelijks een kwartiertje besteden dan eens in de paar weken een paar uur.

Wij mochten de producten van Fattoria La Vialla testen. De review is te lezen in Yoga International nr.2/2019 en toch willen we ook hier onze review van de authentieke delicatessen uit biologisch familie landbouwbedrijf uit Toscane met jullie delen.

Misschien eet je zelden pesto. Alleen op van die verjaardag-toastjes, spaarzaam gesmeerd, wanneer men aandringt. Na het proeven een bord spaghetti met pesto, beide biologisch van La Vialla, komt daar waarschijnlijk ook bij jou verandering in!

‘Ideaal voor na de yogales’

Het is een tien minuten gerecht. Acht kan ook. Ideaal voor na die intensieve yoga les. Naar Italiaanse traditie, weinig en alleen pure ingredienten. Alleen de spaghetti koken in een ruime pan, in dit geval niet gezout, water (geen kruiden of peper naderhand!) en aanmaken met pesto – de lekkerste (en meest geniale!) saus van Italië en niet alleen!

Uiteraard niet zomaar een pesto en niet de pesto van de industriële potjes, waar de ‘echte’ ingrediënten weinig zijn. De pesto van Fattoria La Vialla is gemaakt met de ‘juiste’ ingrediënten: o.a. basilicum uit de moestuin, extravergine olijfolie van La Vialla, Italiaanse, biologische pijnboompitten, overjarige Parmezaanse kaas, biologisch en D.O.P. en pecorino van La Vialla: alles zoals het hoort, rauw verwerkt en op lage temperatuur gepasteuriseerd in de potjes.

Daarnaast kookte ik ook de penne met Peperotta, deze saus gaf een ware geurexplosie. De pesto van rode paprika wordt gemaakt van biologisch verbouwde paprika’s van de Fattoria. Ze worden geblancheerd en vermengd met olijfolie, pecorinokaas, Parmezaanse kaas, knoflook en pijnboompitten. Deze romige saus heeft een appetijtelijke kleur, is niet pikant en wordt ook aanbevolen voor kinderen.

Als je toch meer van pikante smaken houdt kan je er ‘simpelweg’ pikante rode peper in poedervorm aan toevoegen.

Conclusie: de redactie is fan van de Fattoria La Vialla producten, behalve dat ze biologisch zijn, zijn ze makkelijk te bereiden, voedzaam en zijn rijk aan smaken!

Een gratis productuitgave aan te vragen op: www.lavialla.it

When considering a detox, most people think of the food they eat, or not eating anything at all, to help rid their body of toxic or unhealthy substances. But, what you put ‘on’ your body is just as important as what you consume. Pick up any personal care product and try to pronounce the ingredients. Many contain large amounts of chemicals–natural and synthetic–and we are just beginning to recognise the harmful effects that it can have on our bodies. 

Why it Matters

The cosmetic and beauty industry, as a whole, is unregulated and laws vary from country to country. The European Union, which now consists of 28 countries, has more strict and protective laws for cosmetics than the United States. The EU Cosmetics Directive was enacted in 2003 and most recently revised in 2013. The EU law bans more than 1,300 chemicals from beauty products that are considered harmful and are known or suspected to cause cancer, genetic mutation, reproductive harm, or birth defects. In contrast, the Food and Drug Administration in the US has banned or restricted only 11 chemicals from cosmetics. Unlike the United States, EU law requires safety assessments of cosmetics before they enter the market, registration of cosmetic products, and acknowledges that certain chemicals do not belong in beauty products regardless of the concentration factor.

According to a study done by the Environmental Working Group, the average woman uses 12 personal care products a day, containing about 168 unique ingredients. Research on long-term exposure is lacking in the scientific arena, especially on the effects of chemicals when they are combined. Also, scientists have reported that under the right circumstances–factors like temperature and exposure over time–the skin can absorb certain things to the point where they affect our bodies.

How to detox your cosmetics

To start detoxing your beauty routine, begin by taking stock of all the products you use and see what you can substitute with safer, more natural choices to detox your entire body, on the outside and the inside.

Research the Ingredients Depending on where you are, there may be no legal standards for personal care products labelled as natural or organic, so look beyond what it says on the bottle and read the ingredients carefully. Thankfully there are some ways to make this less overwhelming, including some apps that will tell you which ingredients to avoid.

Simplify Your Routine Choose products with a simple ingredient list and fewer synthetic chemicals. A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot pronounce it, it’s probably best to avoid it. For example, pick up your toothpaste and try to pronounce the ingredients. Some toothpastes include toxic ingredients, such as Triclosan and Propylene Glycol, that can easily absorb into your bloodstream. Stick to products with only a few ingredients listed and avoid synthetic perfumes by skipping products with “fragrance” on the label.

Know Which Ingredients to Avoid Read what’s inside before you apply anything to your skin, lips, or hair. The David Suzuki Foundation has published a list of 12 key ingredients to steer clear of in its article “Dirty Dozen: cosmetic chemicals to avoid” — a great place discover the ugly facts about your makeup.  

What Products to Ditch First

To detox your cosmetic cabinet, prioritise by assessing what you use the most. For many women, this means replacing your current body lotion first. Skincare products are probably the one thing you use the most of and most often. Your skin, with its large surface area, has the most potential for harm. Substitute body lotion for an all-natural and organic alternative such as 100 percent cold-pressed coconut oil. Look for natural option, such as essential oils for perfume and hair care products. Ditch your deodorant and use one made from coconut oil, baking soda, and shea butter. Slowly replace your makeup over time, opting for products with environmentally safer ingredients that are natural. Look for organic beauty products that are sustainably sourced and manufactured and packaging in a biodegradable or recyclable container so they are less harmful to the environment.

Even better, replace store bought beauty products with homemade ones. It can be cheaper, and you don’t have to worry about ingredients you can’t pronounce since you will always know exactly what’s going in them.

Natural Cosmetics To Make At Home

Try some do-it-yourself beauty recipes; you’ll be surprised at what you can create on your own. Some personal care products are easy to make with ingredients from your kitchen. There are numerous books and websites that share their all-organic recipes. Stock up on natural ingredients and use them in a multitude of ways for the hair, skin, and cosmetics. For starters, coconut oil is a favourite since it has numerous uses for the hair and body. For teeth, baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide is an effective whitening toothpaste that also kills bacteria.

Useful Apps

Apps like Healthy Living and Shop Clean are useful tools for locating good clean products. The Healthy Living app from Environmental Working Group rates more than 120,000 food and personal care products and the Shop Clean app by Think Dirty is  user-friendly and ranks the safety of products on a scale of 1 to 10, and provides more eco-friendly alternatives for when you do your cosmetic cabinet detox.

In case you’ve never heard about the use of an enema, you’re in the right place. An enema is a procedure that stimulates stool evacuation and relieves constipation. It’s a liquid treatment that conveniently helps push waste out of the colon, with your body reaping many benefits in the process.

The average person has almost 5 kgs, if not more, of waste inside their large intestine, so periodically including enemas into your routine can be advantageous to your health. They are especially helpful to those individuals who do not have at least one regular bowel movement per day. Guided support is always recommended, too, especially for your first time. Read on to learn about the benefits of this ancient technique for cleansing the colon–which you can do either at home or in the comfort of your local spa.

History: An Ancient Detoxing Technique

Dating back to 1500 B.C., the Egyptians were the first recorded people to use the procedure of colon flushing. References have also been made to enemas in ancient texts, from the Babylonians and Assyrians in 600 B.C. to the Ancient Greeks, to Africans along the Ivory Coast in 500 A.D. and among the rich in the Middle Ages. The 17th century became known as ”the age of the enemas” and Parisians would use them three to four times daily. In the 19th century, the development of rubber gave way to more advanced colon hydrotherapy equipment. And the craze ultimately reached into the fancy neighbourhoods of Beverly Hills in California in the 1950s.

Today, the procedure of cleansing stool residue from the large intestine is also called ‘colonic lavage’ and ‘colonic irrigation’. Variations of this flushing technique are used world-wide, and are growing in popularity as the idea of inner hygiene spreads.

Colon Problems and their Effect on the Body

The role of the colon is to absorb liquid and nutrients from food and to remove waste and toxins from the body. Over the years, however, and especially with the increased exposure to chemically infused food, the walls of the colon can become encrusted with residual waste. This, in effect, makes for a slower and inefficient digestive system.

What Ailments do Enemas Treat?

Usually diet changes and exercise are recommended as the first steps in treating gastrointestinal issues such as constipation. Laxatives may be recommended by a doctor as well, and enemas are often used for the first time when the “dis-ease” has become more advanced. After discovering the benefits, many people get them regularly.

It makes sense that this technique is used in treating colitis, since the way an enema enters the body is directly through the rectum. Colitis, for those unfamiliar, is an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Colitis has variations, which include the ulcerative type, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and more.

Surprisingly, enemas can be effective in treating a variety of ailments other than stomach issues. These include backaches, Candida yeast infections, headaches, hemorrhoids, skin problems, weight issues, fatigue, and more. Constipation is often treated with enemas, and it is important to do so, as residual accumulation in the large intestine can lead to colon cancer. Yale researchers have also discovered that constipation is linked to the herpes virus and kidney disease. This shows that, as seems logical, the body is a system that works in a unified way, and all organs influence each other. Consequently, the benefits of an enema are all-encompassing; this includes improvement in mood as the stomach and its chemical reactions have been proven to have important links to the brain.

Effects on the Body

The benefits of enemas are wide-ranging and include eliminating bacteria, toxins, and excess fatty acids from the intestines, and aiding in the restoration of the stomach’s natural flora. They can also have a positive impact on the nervous system, flushing away exhaustion and anxiety. Enemas help to balance hormones, control appetite, regulate sleep, and improve mental processing. Enemas can also clear your skin, and improve concentration and circulation.

The Right Preparation

This is how you do it. It’s important to sterilise all equipment and start with an empty stomach and bladder before proceeding. Ideally, you should have a few old towels underneath your body in case the liquid leaks. A water bag is filled with warm water and, optionally, a mixture of ingredients depending upon your preferences and goals. The tube, attached to the bag, is then slowly and carefully inserted into the rectum–it is especially helpful to keep a lubricant handy in order to facilitate the insertion. With the bag slightly elevated, gravity begins the flushing process pumping water into the colon.

Recipes for Enemas

Generally speaking, there are two types of enemas. Cleansing enemas are meant to be retained for two to three minutes, until the body’s impulse naturally expels them; and retention enemas are meant to be held for about 15 minutes.

Here are some cleansing enemas to consider:

• Apple cider vinegar enemas (2-3 tbsp diluted in water) clear mucus from the body and to eradicate viral conditions.
• Burdock root enemas aid in eliminating calcium deposits as well as purifying the blood.
• Lemon juice enemas detoxify the system and balance the pH level.

Some retention enemas include the following:

• Organic coffee enemas stimulate the liver and gallbladder to eliminate metabolic and environmental toxins (no more than 15 minutes).
• Probiotic enemas are ideal for treating Candida or yeast infections.
• Red raspberry leaf enemas are particularly helpful for women as they are high in iron, and they are also good for the eyes.

Safety

The most crucial part of using an enema is to be safe. Be careful to investigate options thoroughly, be aware of possible allergic reactions, and be careful with the insertion of the tube as it is possible to damage the walls of the rectum if it’s not properly lubricated. Also, use them in moderation as there is potential for too much of a good thing. And when in doubt, consult with a specialist.