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 Greetings!
More than a quarter million Kenyans have been empowered by yoga to make lasting changes in their lives. Read how the
African Yoga Project began and the work it does bringing hope and building relationships throughout East Africa.
Most women (and many men!) hate to do it. Shave that is. Waxing is an option to those who don't want to do it. Complications accompanying diabetes present many challenges to people with this disease. Two studies suggest that practicing tai chi can mitigate its negative effects.
Get your skin ready for summer with a deep exfoliation facial and follow it with fabulous makeup!
Wake up your body with a cat/cow asana routine. This two-pose sequence is a great way to warm up before getting deeper into your practice as well as loosening the back before exercising. We offer a wide variety of classes and times. Check out our calendar to find something that fits into your schedule or a service to give you a pick-me-up. Namasté,
Theresa Franklin, NCTMB, LMT, RYT, CMT
Olivia Kelly, NCTMB, LMT
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Transforming Lives Through Yoga
Sometimes life takes us in a direction that is wholly unexpected and leads us to our life's passion. When we look back, we can clearly see how each fork in the road, each decision we made took us one step closer to where we were meant to be.  Paige Elenson, a native New Yorker, didn't imagine that one day she'd co-found and direct an organization that brings the transformational power of yoga to Africa. Paige's journey began in the 1990s when she took a yoga class taught by Baron Baptiste. She continued to study and teach Baptiste Power Yoga for more than 10 years and taught with Baron at his international teacher trainings. A chance meeting in 2005 with acrobats practicing handstands in the Kenyan bush took her on the next step of her path. Acrobats? In the bush? They formed a connection, sharing a joy of movement. She practiced alongside them and taught them some yoga. This encounter was the inspiration for the Africa Yoga Project. Today, the international non-profit trains young adults living in East African slums and rural villages to teach yoga and earn their livings leading classes in their communities. You can read more about the Africa Yoga Project here and listen to a short interview on NPR. |
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Tai Chi Helps Diabetics Manage Glucose Levels
Can low-impact tai chi give diabetics the same benefits of aerobic exercise?
It's well known that exercise lowers blood pressure and builds stronger bones. It's also known that activity can help diabetics better manage their glucose. But can low-impact tai chi give diabetics the same benefits as aerobic exercise?
Two studies reported in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggest that tai chi can help diabetics lower their glucose levels and counteract the effects of the disease.
In the first study, reported in the June 2009 issue, 62 women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes participated in a 6-month research project. Half of the group practiced tai chi in two supervised classes, one hour per week, with three days of home practice. The other half served as the control group. Those who completed the tai chi sessions had significantly improved their fasting blood glucose levels and improved their management of the disease. In addition, they reported higher levels of energy and improved mental health.
The second study was published in the December 2012 issue. It examines the effects of tai chi on glucose control as well as neuropathy scores, balance, and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and neuropathy.
Fifty-nine patients were recruited for the study with 39 of them completing it. Over a 12-week period, a group of 20 diabetic patients with neuropathy engaged in twice-weekly tai chi sessions for one hour each.
Outcome variables were for glucose control, neuropathic symptoms, balance, and a health survey for quality of life. The researchers found that the variables were significantly better in the study group than the control group of 19 patients.
Further studies with larger samples and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the effects of Tai Chi on the management of diabetic neuropathy, which may have an impact on fall prevention in this population.
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Better Than a Shave
Ladies, are you looking forward to the skin-baring styles of summer but dreading the hassles of shaving?**
Waxing is a great way to remove hair from the bikini area. Why?
Waxing gives a clean, smooth surface and the longest-lasting results.
Hair grows back finer because waxing pulls the hair out below the surface of the skin. Plus, waxing doesn't irritate the skin as shaving and depilatories do, so those unsightly red bumps and skin irritation are kept to a minimum.
**Call Kristi or Kendelle for all your waxing needs -- 462-3900
Mention this Special Offer at time of checkout and receive 10% OFF
Classic Bikini Waxing - $30
Full Brazilian - $59
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Cow & Cat Sequence
Cat - Marjaryasana - (mahr-jahr-ee-AHS-uh-nuh)
Cow - Bitilasana - (bee-tee-LAHS-uh-nuh)
Whether it's before a ball game, aerobics class or even at the start of your yoga practice, it's important to warm up your muscles and get the blood circulating. Cat & Cow Sequence helps loosen the spine so use it as a break from sitting too long or when you first get up in the morning. Coordinating this movement with your breathing relieves stress and calms the mind. Alternate between them in a smooth, vinyasa flow.
Cat & Cow share benefits and cautions.
Benefits
- Stretches the torso and neck. Cow pose stretches the front of your body; Cat pose stretches the back.
- Provides a gentle massage to the spine and belly organs
Contraindications
- If you have a neck injury, keep your head in line with your torso.
How to do it
1. Start on your hands and knees with your wrists and hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Keep your back flat and your neck in a neutral position.
2. Move into Cow pose. As you inhale, tilt your sitz bones to the ceiling, dropping your belly to the floor and lifting your chest to the ceiling. Lift your head, looking forward.
3. As you exhale, move into Cat pose, rounding your back and drop the crown of your to the floor.
4. Repeat the sequence.
Do:
Start the movement in your tailbone and progress in a smooth motion between the poses.
Keep your shoulders down away from your ears
Don't:
Force your chin to your chest in Cow pose.
Bonus sequence:
After performing the sequence, you can warm up your spine in the other direction. Kneel on your hands and knees, keeping your back flat and your neck in a neutral position. Inhale. As you exhale, twist to your right. Inhale, moving back to a forward position. Exhale, then inhale, twisting to your left. Inhale, then return to facing forward. Continue inhaling and exhaling, twisting to each side to loosen the hips and spine.
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is a healthy lifestyle center that offers a range of holistic experiences to unite your mind, body and spirit. Bring harmony to your life through the practice of heart-centered yoga and meditation. Explore our Namasté gift shop with books, CDs, candles, teas, skin care and gifts.
Stop by and check us out!
Be Well Now
(618) 462-3900
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The Be Well Now newsletter is edited by Danette Watt. For suggestions, comments or concerns about the newsletter content, contact her at dmwatt33@gmail.com.
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Are you a registered yoga teacher and interested in making extra money? We're looking for substitute teachers for our yoga classes. If interested, call Be Well Now at 462-3900. |
Prepare your skin for fun!
Melt away those winter blues with a one hour deep exfoliation facial.
It's time to prepare your skin for all the fun in the sun during the summer months! This facial includes a cleanse with brush, tone, deep exfoliation scrub, hand massage, and hydrating mask.
We will customize the exfoliation to your skin type and get rid of all that dry, dreary skin that comes with wintertime.
See Kendelle or Kristi and your skin will have the glow and clarity you've been looking for.
Make your appointment today! Call 462-3900. |
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Airbrush makeup leaves you worry-free!
Vow to be the most beautiful version of yourself on your wedding day.
Airbrush makeup provides flawless, radiant skin through tears of joy and dancing until dawn. Obsessive Complusive Cosmetics is a water-based and 100% oil free airbrush company that gives a natural matte finish. It's absolutely picture perfect not to mention it wears beautifully until you wash it off.
Bridal parties, special occasions, or even a night out on the town - you'll be turning heads.
Wedding season is approaching quickly, make your appointment today!
Make your appointment today! Call 462-3900. |
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Our classes please check the website calendar to confirm class times YOGA Sunday 12:30-1:30 pm Hot Yoga Monday 4-5 pm Tuesday 9-10 am 5:30-6:30 pm Hot Yoga (limited class size) Wednesday 9-10 am 5:45-6:45 pm Thursday 12-1 pm 5:30-6:30 pm Hot Yoga (limited class size) Friday 12-1 pm 5:30-6:30 pm Saturday 9-10 am Hot Yoga
TAI CHI Monday Intro to Yang Tai Chi 5:30-6:30 p.m. Intro to Chen Style Tai Chi 6:30-7:30 pm Advanced Chen Style 7:30-8:30 pm Wednesday Intro to Chen Style 10-11:00 am Advanced Chen Style 11:00 am-12:00 pm TANG SOO DO Tuesday/Thursday 7-8:30 pm CAPOEIRA Tuesday/Thursday 8:30-9:30 pm |
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