Simple Healthy Habits: Water

Simple Healthy Habits:
 
Did you know that adding one vegetable and drinking one glass of water at every meal will increase energy, boost the immune system, improve sleep habits, and generate weight loss.

Masseuse vs. Massage Therapist

Once upon a time, the term masseuse was a suitable name for a person giving massages as their profession as a means to make a living. However, as the industry has evolved so has the need to distinguish the difference between a masseuse and a Massage Therapist to ensure each client is achieving their desired service.

Masseur is from the French word masser – meaning to massage. In the U.S. however, this term has commonly been adopted by escort services operating under the guise of massage. Due to the increased popularity of this term being used by those engaging in illegal prostitution, it is no surprise that real massage therapists would be easily offended when referred to as a masseuse. 

A Massage Therapist accurately describes a professional body worker with intensive clinical training on the modalities of the body and able to execute multiple massage techniques for the purpose of health and wellness.

The most noticeable difference between the two would be, 1) A large investment of time and money in an extensive 2 year medical program. Compared to, 2) A large investment of time in offering companionship to lonely travelers and sex offenders. As you can see, a very large difference in career choices.

When selecting a massage practitioner one should avoid those claiming to have ‘massage training’ or are ‘massage certified’ and strictly trust the needs of their body to a Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT). Licensed and insured with their confident abilities in understanding the medicinal needs of the body.

PS – On a side note, as funny as it sounds in your head, no therapist will find humor in the adolescent trite humor of a “happy ending” joke. Just saying.

Yoga is not a fashion show – what to wear to class

For new students, attending your first yoga class can be a little intimidating, and even cause a bit of anxiety, but choosing what to wear should not. Sadly, the fashion industry has crept onto the mat as a silent esteem assassin in hopes of convincing you that their specific brand is what your practice is currently lacking. Regardless of what they may promise, we assure you that there no articles of magical clothing designed to elevate your practice to immeasurable levels.

When it comes to your yoga wardrobe it is most important to wear whatever you feel comfortable moving your body in; feeling supported and unrestricted in lightweight, breathable clothing. 

Comfort is key: t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and stretchy pants. 

Clothes to avoid: denim, short shorts, baggy pants, and baggy t-shirts. 

Remember, yoga teaches us to love ourselves, so we can love the world around us, and no one gives a sh*t who manufactured your pants. 

Pet Ownership = Less Stress

With the #1 method of stress relief being the yoga & massage, #2 proper diet and nutrition, it is fun to share that #3 on the list of battling stress is pet ownership.

Pets are natural Mood Enhancers that cause your body to actually go thru physical changes within minutes of contact. Levels of cortisol (stress hormone) are quickly lowered, and the production of serotonin is greatly increased, resulting in improved well being.

F*cking Let it Out!

Did you know that it is scientifically proven that shouting out a few choice curse words removes the edge from both a painful and/or stressful situation!? Swearing has existed for several centuries, and in many cultures, and seems to treat us to an unexplained release of tension. 

In short, f*cking let that sh*t out when needed!

Autumn Pumpkin Harvest

All nuts and seeds are healthy, but Pumpkin seeds are exceptionally good for you. They are nature's own little multi-supplement packed full of iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium, arguably the four most important minerals our bodies need. But they don’t stop there; these tasty little superstars are also a terrific source of protein and the essential fatty acid omega-3.

Happiness is Contagious

Research shows that surrounding yourself with happy/positive people increases your happiness by 10%. (Comparison: financial freedom increases happiness by 7%, pets 6%, food 4%)

 

On the flip side, each downbeat/negative friend in your circle can reduce your overall feelings of happiness by 8%. Studies show that happy people live longer, healthier lives and can spread their happiness 3-degrees to friend of friends.

 
Moral of the story ... Be Happy! and avoid Crab Asses!

Laugh it Off!

Did you know that when you laugh your muscles relax, stress hormone product is reduced, you forget about pain, your body’s immune system is improved, high-blood pressure is lowered, the heart and lungs are strengthened, and overall, you feel better!
 
So stop being grumpy, loosen up, and LAUGH AT LIFE!

6 ways to de-stress your home

Your home is your sanctuary and must be treated as such. A place of safety to decompress, escape and recharge. No matter the size, the condition, the location, or the style, your home can easily be utilized to reduce both your physical and emotional stress.

1. Bring the Outdoors In

Nature has a natural calming effect on the body. Sounds, scents, colors and textures has a healing impact simply by being in your presence. House plants, fresh flower or running fountains can easily sooth. Or even selecting natural fibers for furniture, flooring, and textiles can change the environment of any space.

2. Paint Rooms to Suggest Desired Mood

Choosing paint colors to express the intention of a room can immediately change the mood of any space. Joyful yellows in the kitchen for uplifting spirits and sparking conversation. Cool blues in the bedroom to inspire relaxation. Energetic reds in the dining room for excitement and entertaining.

3. Surround your Senses with Beauty
Inspiring your senses with beautiful things can immediately enhance your feelings of calm. Fill your spaces with things your love and/or enjoy such as art, books, pillows, music, sounds and scents.

4. Set Aside a Room for Peace & Calm
Setting aside a space in your home for reflection, meditation, or just a little peace and quiet, can be one of the greatest influences in reducing stress. By eliminating distractions you are allowing a peaceful internal connection to dissolve any heavy baggage of daily stress.

5. Clear Out Clutter
Keeping your home clear of any additional stresses is a must. Clutter, disorganization and mess only add to the hectic environment of the outside world. Keeping your home clean and refreshing ensures a welcomed and calm arrival to your sanctuary.

6. Display Meaningful Treasures
The sense of a comfortable space is created by adding personal touches throughout your home. Family treasures, heirlooms, meaningful gifts, photos of family or friends, handmade crafts or art, anything that add a personal sense of connection to the ones you cherish.

Health Benefits: YOGA vs GYM

The most common question I am repeatedly asked is, “Why should I do yoga?”

On the surface this simple questions seems as though it would generate a clear response that would only take a moment of your time, however; yoga is so personalized that the answer, just like people, can be very complex. My most direct response has always been, “Because there is no equal”, but that is only the beginning.

The benefits of yoga are so vast, so diverse, so compound, that there simply is no easy answer to ‘why’. Are you trying to be more healthy, are you an athlete, a beginner, are you nursing an injury, are you trying to lose weight, relieve stress, find community? Yoga satisfies all those and more, dare I say almost everything.

To be more specific I’ll ask what their current means of exercise is. 9 times out of 10 the answer is “the gym”. I have plenty of personal opinions about what I call ‘McFitness’ offerings from your local health club but I’ll save those for another day.

For this purpose I’ll throw up a quick and fun little comparison:

YOGA                                                                           GYM

*Parasympathetic Nervous System dominates                 *Sympathetic Nervous System dominates
*Subcortical regions of the brain dominates                     *Cortical regions of the brain dominates
*Controled dynamic movements                                     *Rapid forceful movements
*Increased muscle tone                                                  *Increased muscle tension
*Low risk of injuring, prevents future injury                     *Higher risk of injury, causes future injury
*Energizing (breathing is controlled)                                *Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)
*Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups                 *Imbalanced activity of opposing groups
*Noncompetitive, process-oriented                                *Competitive, goal-oriented
*Awareness is internal                                                    *Awareness is external
*Limitless possibilities for growth                                    *Plateau with high boredom factor

bottom line, yoga is science that has been practiced for thousands of years. The medical community has gathered substantial supporting evidence on the health benefits of yoga. ( 77 Health Benefits of Yoga ) Most importantly, remember to keep your preferred form of exercise well balanced and the results will never disappoint! See ya in class!

AZ SUMMER and the POWER of REST

For many athletes -such as runners, cyclists, and triathletes- one of the most important, and most neglected, principles of training is allowing time for recovery. Summer temperatures in Phoenix provide a natural break from any outdoor training, it's simply too damn hot! This time of year offers a much needed down time that, in the long run, may well prevent injury, overtraining and burnout. Tapering your training during the scorching summer months allows the body to naturally adapt between training seasons and results in making the body stronger and more fit, to reflect the true bad-ass you know you are.

Yoga is considered one of the best forms of off-season exercise for any seasonal athletes. Such recovery periods do not generally involve complete rest but rather consist of active rest to allow the body the time to recover. SuTRA's classes provide the perfect space and workout for you to get reacquainted with your body, nurse any nagging injuries, and work on any imbalances in strength and flexibility.

Come Fall, when you exit your air conditioned cave of hibernation, you will feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and excited to start training again. A prepared athlete will return from a break feeling physically and mentally ready for the next challenges. "Thank you SuTRA", you will proclaim. "It was our pleasure", we'll reply, with a wink and a smile.

Earth Day Promo?

Earth Day is one day set aside each year to refocus our priorities and re-center our ambitions to aid our planet and create a better environment for the next generation.

Rather than offer a promotional discount that is oddly disconnected from the day's objective - we encourage everyone to use the day as intended and be reminded of the continual care our planet needs.  

Don't be a consumer - Give Mother Earth a hug!