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Yoga for over 40's

Yoga provides natural anxiety relief

Yoga provides a natural relief for anxiety. Harvard Medical School stated that a wide range of yoga practices suggest they can reduce the impact of exaggerated stress responses. As a result they may be helpful for both anxiety and depression. For this reason, yoga functions like other self-soothing techniques, such as meditation, relaxation, exercise, or even socialising with friends.

yoga relieves anxiety ayurveda fear

By reducing perceived stress and anxiety, yoga appears to modulate stress response systems. This, in turn, decreases physiological arousal — for example, reducing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and easing respiration. Likewise there is also evidence that yoga practices help increase heart rate variability, an indicator of the body’s ability to respond to stress more flexibly.

The chakras store the anxiety

Notably if someone is feeling anxious it is very difficult to lasso the mind and body to sit in the stillness and emptiness of Yoga. Often the mind will conjure up many reasons not to attend a class. Even though, after a class the vibration of anxiety inevitably slows down.

chakras yoga energy vata
Chakras store anxiety

A yoga practice will move the anxious vibrating energy.  The prana (life force) moves the anxiety from the solar plexus chakra (Manipura chakra) down to the root chakra (Muladhara chakra). Under those circumstances you will feel a sense of feeling grounded, solid and secure (kapha) .  

Literally speaking, the word “chakra” from Sanskrit translates to “wheel” or “disk,” but references a spiritual energy centre within the human body. You can read more about the chakras here.

5 ways Yoga relieves anxiety

A regular Yoga practice is an act of self love and has many benefits like improved breathing, stretching, relaxation, peacefulness of mind and a like minded community. These are all built into the one class. When you recognise you are having an anxiety attack, tune in and ask yourself the following:-

  • Where do I feel the sensation in my body?
  • Am I concerned with something that is happening now, in the past or future?
  • How smooth, subtle and long is my breath?
  • Do I feel restless and unsettled?
  • What do do I need right now, am I hungry or cold?

Yoga relieves anxiety

Yoga (asana) is not just for the physical body to build strength and flexibility. Actually Yoga works on so many levels including the mind, body and spirit. 
 
Yoga and Ayurveda combined providing many benefits and tools to help you to manage your vata, pita or kapha imbalances.
 
 
yoga ayurveda vata anxiety

Anxiety, Ayurveda and Vata dosha

Anxiety is a vibration that is experienced in the mind and body. The body vibrates as the thoughts jump around. Anxiety produces the Ayurveda symptom of Vata. Vata is predominantly air and ether and moves via prana (life force) throughout the body.

People born with the Vata dosha when out of balance experience anxiety. Others may not be predominately Vata but have experienced a traumatic event in their lives increasing vata. Equally, growing up in a home with strong vibrations may seem the norm, until diagnosed with anxiety.

Motivating oneself to make changes can be difficult for a kapha, a pita will think the issue is outside of them, and a vata person will find it difficult to slow down and stick to a plan. To discover more about Ayurveda you can take our simple test here.

vibes yoga chakras anxiety

Can you feel the vibrations?

‘Can you feel the vibes man’ – was a popular saying in the 1960’s. It was seen to be a hippy term that coincided with the sensitive, vegetarian, peace, loving lifestyle. Vata is a sensitive body type and just the tone in the environment or interactions with others can disturb.

The vibration of anxiety is exhausting to experience and be around and is linked to the base emotion of fear. Likewise the side effects of fear or anxiety lead to the Vata symptoms of: insomnia, constipation, rapid movement, fast speech, shallow breathing, poor digestion and restlessness.

Ayurveda states like increases like

Feeling anxious often makes it difficult to want to sit still and slow the mind down. Anxious people will gravitate to others with the same vibration. Having said that Yoga combined with Ayurveda has many tips to reduce anxiety.

12 practical suggestions to reduce anxiety

  • Track back after an anxiety attack to view how its started (and subsided)
  • Keep a journal of your discoveries
  • Reach our to a friend or therapist
  • Go for a walk in nature
  • Put your hands in the garden dirt
  • Lie down and watch the clouds float by
  • Join a yoga breathing and asana practice
  • Do our relaxation breathing exercise

For more information about our Yoga Works for Over 40s (online) classes click here.

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Benefits of Tulsi Ayurveda

Not always traditional medicine is the solution to common conditions.  Having said that, Ayurveda teaches us about the benefits of Tulsi as a natural alternative.

Tulsi leaf
Benefits of Tulsi

At this time of year we are very susceptible to catching colds and the flu, due to the change of season. In the morning the sun is shining and warm then by the afternoon it is cold and raining. For this reason, you may not have taken enough warm clothes and have got caught out.

Apart from Tulsi’s religious and medicinal significance, it has many great benefits as a prime herb in Ayurveda treatment. Tulsi is a kind of  "elixir of life" as it promotes longevity.  The healing power of Tulsi is marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste.  Because it is used to prevent the onset of many illnesses and common ailments such as:-

  • Common cold
  • Headaches
  • Stomach disorders
  • Inflammation
  • Heart disease
  • Various forms of poisoning
  • and malaria.

The natural benefits of Tulsi for your health

tulsi 1

Healing Power of Tulsi

The Tulsi plant has many benefits and medicinal properties. Also the leaves are a nerve tonic and sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the inflammation and phlegm from the bronchial tube. In the same way, the leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration.

The seed of the plant ia mucilaginous. Mucilaginous herbs derive their properties from the carbohydrates they contain. These carbohydrates have a 'slippery', mild taste and swell in water. They produce a gel-like mass that can be used to soothe and protect irritated tissues in the body. For instance dry irritated skin and sore or inflamed mucous membranes.

Fever and Common Cold

The leaves of the Tulsi (perennial basil) plant are specific for many fevers. During the winter and rainy seasons, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against disease.

In case of acute fevers, a drink made of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature and fever. With this intention the extract of Tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between,  keep giving sips of cold water.

Coughs

Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilise mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu.

Sore Throat

Water boiled with perennial basil (Tulsi) leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water is also used to gargle with.

Respiratory Disorder

The Tulsi herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A drink of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A drink of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. Boil in half a litre of water till only half the water is left.

Tulsi leaves

Yoga and Ayurveda Therapy Works for Over 40s

We combine Yoga with Ayurveda so that the practice is beneficial to the mind, body and digestive system. Many illnesses can be attributed to eating foods that are not suitable for your body type. For this reason we like to include Ayurveda Everyday tips as a bonus in our subscribers. Our Private facebook group Yoga Works better with Ayurveda has recipes and everyday tips as well as class replays. In this way we are offering the these ancient teachings as traditionally taught.

Click here for more information on our Yoga Therapy classes :- Good Morning Yoga, Lunchtime Chair Yoga and Sleepy time Yoga Therapy classes.

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Yoga Therapy Seniors class

A Yoga class to suit those who feel left out of Yoga.  There are many who attend a group class, look around the room and feel too old or too this or not enough of that. Our new Yoga Therapy Seniors 40+ classes are now live-online. More importantly there is no denying the many benefits Yoga can give us.  How luxurious to gift ourselves the time to lie on the floor, connect with the body and soothe the mind. This will improve the quality of your life and sense of wellbeing.  We all see the benefits of Yoga in those celebrities throughout the world. Read our article the 7 benefits of Yoga for Seniors here. 

yoga celebrity

Find out about our Yoga for over 40s online classes here

What a delight to see how popular Yoga is today. Many young people recognise the benefits of bringing Yoga into their lives. Even if it is only to look and feel better.  Eventually for some, Yoga penetrates deeply to the spirit and the quality of life improves. I am sure the world is a better place as our consciousness rises. Have you noticed how easy it is to spot a Yogi? Often they look great, with excellent posture, glowing skin - plus they achieve a lot in life. Most yogis appear more youthful than their years and their attitude to life is tempered with an open heart.

Gentle yoga for seniors

How Yoga improves the lives of Seniors

Be inspired by listening to one of my favourite Yogi's Patsy. She has been practising Yoga for over 50 years and is having her 90th birthday in 2020 a Pisces! You will be amazed hearing Patsy's yoga journey and lifestyle, how this ancient practice has held her upright. Additionally yoga has provided Patsy with the strength of character, mind and body. Bless people like Patsy who take responsibility for their health.

“a good attitude with gratitude plus volunteering to help others has come from the awareness I developed in Yoga - this has given me a strong spine and character".

Patsy was born in 1930 and has been practicing yoga for more than half of her life and it shows! Even more so, yoga has helped her live graciously through life’s transitions. She is a great model of excellent health and strength of character.  Likewise as a result of her yogic lifestyle Patsy is more aware of her body and mind.  Additionally this includes awareness of what she ingests through her senses - the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and skin. Her attitude has naturally aligned with the principles of Ayurveda. More importantly, she brings natural foods into her diet that are preservative free, with plenty of water to cleanse her body. You will always see Patsy with a water bottle in hand.

In the video above Patsy states that her excellent health is also attributable to  “a good attitude with gratitude - plus volunteering to help others." She attributes this to the self-awareness she developed through Yoga. When I am with Patsy she infuses me with her enthusiasm for life. Each time I catch up with Patsy in the city, she meets me with her joggers on. Flat stable shoes encourage free movement and alleviate any risk of falling as we age.

Yoga at 90 Patsy

Gentle Yoga Works for over 40s

Can you imagine life with a Yoga studio on every corner filled with conscious, mindful and caring people?  What an absolute bonus to humanity that would be!  Definitely a yoga studio has to be better for society than a noisy crowded room filled with intoxicated people blocked off from their feelings.

Having lunch with a bunch of Yogis after a class is often based on the "after effects of the meal." Contemplating how will I feel after I eat that? Will the food sit heavy in my stomach or will it digest too quickly? Where is this food from, is it natural or has it been laced with preservatives and chemicals? Yogis will prefer to sit in the fresh air rather than air conditioning and artificial lighting because they are sensitive towards subtle energies. 

Developing awareness of the connection between the mind and body is one of the ultimate benefits derived from practicing Yoga on a regular basis. At the same time we soon recognise any niggling sensations that might trouble us. These could be just under the surface of our consciousness. An inversion is a great way to rally around those germ fighting soldiers. Have you noticed that Yogis rarely get sick?

Bondi Yoga Therapy refresh

Why Yoga Works for Over 40s online?

Learn to integrate Yoga and Ayurveda therapy into your daily life. Indeed living a healthy lifestyle connecting with your true nature, the environment and your community makes life more interesting. Being present to your inner self by developing mindfulness not only benefits you, but those around you. As a result you will have the energy to follow your dreams and visions. Your life will become more fulfilling and you will experience positive change. Ongoing illness and inability to move freely is limiting and soon leads to depression and a myriad of other problems.

Many Yoga classes today focus is for younger people. In my opinion this is not suitable for many people in their 40s.  Sadly people will turn away or hurt themselves. This can be due to a lack of connection to the body and pushing beyond their limits. It is for this reason we started our Yoga Works for over 40s live-online classes that come right into your home. And if you need more personalised attention see our Yoga Therapy programs.

Yoga for over 40s online

Ayurveda states disease comes in six stages. By practising Yoga combined with Ayurveda you will soon develop a sense of the onset of illness at stage one.

Perhaps a scratchy throat or a new ache or pain - this gives us the opportunity to implement a natural cure. Which is often simply via food or taking a rest. To me this equates to self love, which is one of life's lessons. Moreover you can model this self care to your loved ones.

Combining Yoga and Ayurveda is a complete practice - as traditionally taught.

About Zoe Campbell Yoga Ayurveda Therapist

Zoe brings Yoga and Ayurveda into her every day life. She has been studying these practices since 1984 in Australia and India and used these tools to transition through many stages. Likewise moving with grace through life's stages can be a challenge without a nourishing practice.

Yoga is for every one – but sadly there are too few students older than 40 in who are practising yoga right at a time when it can help them the most. I value inclusion and love to share what has helped me throughout my life.

Book your class here or call Zoe on +61 407 956 071 for a free 15 min chat about your needs.