Exercises

IS THE ENGINE WORKING?

Two great ways to integrate gentle cleansing into your daily routine are Saline Nasal Flushing and Dry Skin Brushing.

A wonderful exercise to embrace this Spring is the practice of nasal irrigation using a neti pot which will reduce mucus and help with allergies.
If you’ve never tried using a neti pot it does take a bit of getting used to, but after a short period of adjustment you will soon be looking forward to incorporating it into your daily routine – it will become second nature, like cleaning your teeth and washing your face.
It is an ancient Ayurvedic practice in which you fill a pot with lukewarm salt water and pour it through each nostril, carefully tilting your head at the right angle to allow it to flow through the other nostril, clearing away dust, and dirt, and pollen, and flushing your tear ducts. For allergy sufferers and those with sinus problems it is a natural solution that can eventually even replace medications. And for those who just want to rid themselves of the pollutants of city life you’ll find it a useful practice to add into your daily routine, giving you a clear head and bright eyes to envision your future.
(A couple of tips when getting used to your neti pot: pay attention to the amount of salt you use, and adjust according to your level of comfort, and the temperature of the water is key – use a little boiling water to dissolve the salt crystals and then add cold water until it is the same temperature as your skin.)

Dry Skin Brushing is very useful to get the Qi moving around the body, the skin is the largest organ of the body, and by stimulating it through brushing you are encouraging the natural elimination function. Damp types and Stagnant types really benefit from this, but it is suitable for all.
I also recommend it for patients in between IVF to help the lymphatic system in preparation for the IVF drugs. Brush before a shower or bath, once or twice daily.
Use a long-handled, natural fibred bristle brush.
Always brush towards the heart.
Start with the soles of the feet.
Brush up the legs towards the torso.
Brush from the tips of the fingers to the shoulders.
Brush over the buttocks.
Use light pressure only on the stomach if you think you might be pregnant. Trace the direction of the intestines from right to left.
Enjoy the tingling feeling of the Qi moving around the body and follow with a warm bath or shower.

Temple Dancer Eyes is a wonderful facial yoga exercise that works on strengthening muscles that ring the eyes – strengthening these muscles makes your eyes feel invigorated, opens them wider and allows you to see clearly anything that may be blocking your ability to envision your future - and it actually prevents sagging skin and crow’s feet!
To do the exercise, sit comfortably on a yoga mat or on the floor, letting your hands rest easily on your legs, and closing your eyes, take a few deep breaths, relaxing your whole body.
Open your eyes and without moving your body or turning your head look as far to the left as you can and then as far to the right as you can, while taking a deep inhalation through your nose. Repeat the eye movement 4 more times during the inhalation. Repeat the eye exercise 5 more times during a long, slow exhalation.
Begin with 5 sets and build up to 10 as it feels comfortable. When you have finished close your eyes and imagine a point in between your eyebrows – your third eye. Hold this pose – "Buddha Face" for 1 minute or longer.