|
|
Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com yoga@cherylthomas.com 415-308-3377 |
 You're Full of It
Many years ago I was grossed out when I heard a man lived with a huge worm (something like 8-feet long) in his stomach. The worm needed the man to stay alive in order to stay alive itself. So, they both lived in copasetic harmony. Now this could be an apocryphal tale. It was probably on one of those late night shows. I just did a Google search and can't find anything, so you didn't hear this from me, OK?
But, what may astound you and is actually true is that bacterial cells in your body outnumber human cells 10-1.(1) Instead of being human, you're really a big bag of microbes. We have an entire universe inside 25 feet of coiled tubing. It's an entire ecosystem of tiny creatures, viruses and protozoans (non-human things). The ecosystem outside of us is complicated, yet simple, any one thing being dependent on another for its survival. So goes it in our gut. The couple of thousand of species that live inside us depend on each other and also prey on each other.
How did they all get there? In the embryonic sack, we're sterile. But, as soon as we come through the birth canal and open our mouths, in comes lots of bacteria. By our school years we have 100 trillion cells in us.
I know what you're thinking. Ah, where's an antibiotic to kill all of these pesky bacteria that cause my ear, vaginal and chest infections. Let me at 'em(2). But, you'd be mostly wrong. These bacterial cells have immensely beneficial roles in our health. Some of the bacteria even have genes that "encode for beneficial compounds that the body cannot make on its own." Some bacteria go so far as to "train" the body not to overreact to outside threats. And, of course, they help you digest your Domino's gluten-free pizza (who would have thought?).
There is a direct connection between the gut and the brain. Over 90% of serotonin (the "feel good" neurotransmitter) is located in our stomach. Researchers fed lactobacillis (in yogurt) to lab mice to see if it changed their personalities. Lacto is found in our guts. When put under stress (like a water torture) the mice with the lacto did not stress, but "chilled out, relaxed, didn't panic, didn't burn-out and didn't fall into despair" as compared to the other group which gave up after 4 minutes.(3)
A French clinical trial fed people massive doses of probiotics, (2 different kinds of bugs) and they found dramatic reductions in stress levels with the participants feeling less angry, less anxious and less depressed. Researchers are suggesting that your gut flora may play a role in "communication between your gut and your brain." So, according to Dr. Mercola at Mercola.com, "it actually makes perfect sense to nourish your gut flora for optimal serotonin function as it can have a profound impact on your mood, psychological health, and behavior." I wonder if Eli Lilly, Wyeth and Pfizer (maker of antidepressants) are interested in this research? I think not.
Respect your internal ecosystem and avoid antibiotics, if possible. Why not try increasing the intake of probiotics and see if it makes a difference in your mood or stress levels. As always, I'm interested in what you have to say. You can email me at cheryl@cherylthomas.com.
(2) Unfortunately, the inadvertent destruction of beneficial microbes by the use of antibiotics, among other things, may be leading to an increase in autoimmune disorders and obesity.
(3) http://www.radiolab.org/2012/apr/02/gut-feelings/
(4) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/12/beware--bacteria-growing-in-your-gut-can-influence-your-behavior.as
Want to read some of my previous articles? You can do it here. Enjoy.
|
Did You Know?
Many folk like to practice early in the morning. Did you know there are lots of opportunities. Cogen at Sonoma Yoga and Marshall Arts (SYMA) is adding 2 morning classes at 7:15 on M/W. Practice Mysore style Ashtanga with John Smith at Westside Yoga on T/W/Th from 7-9 and at Thrive on W/F at 6:15.
The Advanced Studies Teacher Training has started at Yoga by Design in Petaluma. Best of all, you can take individual "modules" from any of the teachers (including me). This is a great opportunity to study with some awesome teachers without committing to a full training. More later..........
Erick and Collin, masters of Westside Yoga Studio, are returning from India and resuming their classes the week of February 10. I was honored to cover some of their classes during their absence.
The much respected and admired, Ann Austin, is travelling with her family until May. Look below for new awesome teachers at Yoga Studio Ganesha. Safe travels, Ann! We'll miss you. Welcome, Anne, Beth and Cindy!
Devi Yoga Center in Sebastopol is the place for TriYoga with Kashi Ananda. But, did you know there are lots of other classes like Prenatal Yoga, Pilates, Light Vinyasa, Dance and Meditation. Go to their website for more info.
Join Anne O'Brien at the San Francisco Iyengar Institute as she co-teaches Surviving and Thriving As a Yoga Teacher on Saturday 2/9/2013 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Get boat loads of yoga information and lots of free downloads from YogaU online. Really, tons. It's a great resource for teachers and students.
|
Daily Dharma - Tricycle Magazine
December 27
Confidence in Truth
From the habit of speaking truthfully confidence is acquired, since there is no need then to dissemble or conceal the truth. Moreover, the speaker of truth inspires confidence in others who come to know that they may rely implicitly on his words.
- Hammalawa Saddatissa, "Right Speech"
|
|
Every week or two I get an email from Elephant Journal, a kind of yoga/spiritual thinking/wellness blog- ish-type site. I like founder, Waylon Lewis's vibe and his writing. He has a host of contributors. The articles are have catchy titles like "Best Yoga Video Every" or "Why I'd Love a 4-Person Marriage. Well, I got caught up in reading Mr. Lewis' article and the accompanying Oprah video about a tragic anorexia victim. But, the bottom line, which the author put so bluntly is "how". We all know what to do, what needs to be done, but it's the "how" that's daunting. Here's what Mr. Lewis wrote:
And so, to this day, whenever I see New Agey quotes saying "Love more," or whatever, I shake my head. We all know love is good stuff. But how?
How is the key. How is the journey. How is the path we must walk.
Offer how.
So next time you see a sound bite quote out of context by the Dalai Lama (etc), remember that Buddhists, and all genuine spiritual traditions (and good parents), are about the path-how to get from here to there-not just about yelling at us to "Be Blissful!" "Love is the Way!" "Peace is the Answer!" and other how-less facile useless feelgoodisms.
Read the real thing here. You can click on the video clip above for the Oprah interview. The comments on "how" come at after 7:30 into the clip. The rest of it is just sad.
|
Lotta Changes at Yoga Studio Ganesha 
The Sebastopol yoga scene will not be the same without Ann Austin's vibrant, continually fresh and challenging yoga classes. She and her family are traveling for 3 months. Below is the new schedule. We'll miss you Ann!
Monday (9:15 and 5:30), Wednesday and Friday (9:15) will be taught by the talented Beth Lambert. She will continue to teach in the Ashtanga tradition, levels II/III.
Cindy Sims will be leading beginning yoga on Tuesdays (9:15). Cindy blends the Ashtanga primary series with attention to healthy alignment and personal growth.
We are honored to have the respected and seasoned, Anne O'Brien, taking the Thursday at 9:15 class. She's my teacher and I'm excited to have her so close. You can also find Anne around the North Bay area. See her full schedule at her website.
|
Be Happy on Friday's
Instead of shots of tequila and fried artichoke hearts, spend your Friday happy hour moving and grooving at an all-levels vinyasa flow class.
I am honored and excited to be offered another class at Westside Yoga Studio. On Friday's from 4:30 - 6:00, we'll end each week with an energetic vinyasa flow class. Through building heat from the inside, we'll strip out the stress hormones from the day. A long rest at the end of class will reset our nervous system and prepare us for our weekend.
You'll be done at 6:00!! That'll leave plenty of time for dinner with friends, a movie or a relaxing evening with your pooch. Or, maybe a Chia filled Kombucha or that 100% agave margarita!
NOTE- (About) once a month this class will meet from 5:30 - 7:00 due to scheduled teacher training. Please see either my schedule or Westside's site.
|
Restorative Yoga 
I love the response of students to their first or second or hundredth restorative yoga experience. It's the moment when their nervous system shifts from "yikes!" to "ahhhhhh." They leave with relaxed shoulders and brightened attitude.
It's easy to forget that the body knows exactly what to do. The relaxation response is a built in function of our amazing central nervous system. We just have to let relaxation happen. I know, it seems impossible sometimes. Thus, the popularity of restorative yoga where we learn to put the body in positions and let it do it's thing.
Every Monday
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Westside Yoga, Sebastopol
|
|
Get Your Girlfriends Together
It's fun to get friends together. Treat your friends to Yoga and Tea rather than Food and Booze. Inviting friends to come together for a Gentle or Restorative Yoga class is a perfect way to enjoy each other's company and do something good for yourselves. Many yoga parties end with tea or champagne and some munchies. Your friends will thank you!
Please call on me if I can help you book a private yoga class or answer any questions. I can be reached at cheryl@cherylthomas.com.
|
Schedule of Upcoming Classes
|
| | | |
