Amazing Yoga and Wellness Books and DVDs
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Hi, yogis!
All sorts of lovely books and yoga DVDs have been making their way to me lately and I'm excited to share them with you. If you need a recommendation for what to read or watch the next time you have a rainy, cold day, I got you :)
What I'm Reading
The New Chinese Medicine Handbook by Misha Ruth Cohen
Before checking out this book, I felt intimidated by Chinese medicine and all its detailed information, regimens and routines. I love that the author offers an approachable guide; as she says, the book is an invitation to a shared healing journey. "If you have picked up this book," Cohen says, "you are searching for answers to the age-old questions: How do I live life fully, how can I heal myself of sickness, and who can guide me in this complex process?"
If you're like me and dislike going to the doctor and want a more holistic approach to health,
The New Chinese Medicine Handbook
is a great resource. It gives you a sense of how to approach health with the mind, body, and spirit all integrated as a whole instead of offering quick-fix, Western-minded solutions. Chinese medicine offers a new way of thinking about how to take care of yourself, how to find balance, and how to treat both physical and emotional disharmony.
Restoring Flexibility: A Gentle Yoga-Based Practice to Increase Mobility at Any Age by Andrea Gilats, PhD, RYT
I can't tell you how many times I've heard from friends, family, and strangers, "I'm too stiff and out of shape to practice yoga!" This is the perfect book for answering that statement with a resounding, "Yoga is for everyone!" I'd recommend this book for anyone who is a beginner and wants to increase mobility. If you or someone you know is intimidated by yoga, try this book. Andrea offers simple routines that anyone can do, and she includes great photos, step-by-step instructions and daily practices to try. The sections include:
- aligning bones and centering your breath
- restoring upper body flexibility
- restoring spinal flexibility
- restoring hip flexibility - flexors, and rotators and adductors
- restoring agility - the yoga sun salutation
- restoring lower body flexibility
- reclining joint releases and muscle relaxation
Restoring Flexibility is comprehensive, detailed, and a really smart approach for beginners. Although the title hints at age, I think this book is applicable to yogis of any age, and it's a wonderful guide to starting where you are instead of taking a class that's too fast-paced or intimidating. Highly recommended.
Essential Oils for Beauty, Wellness, and the Home by Alicia Atkinson
I love this book! It's filled with helpful information about essential oils and recipes and methods for using them. Need to fight the flu? Need relief from allergies? Need to relieve stress or feel better after a bad day? This book has essential oil remedies to help.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Hangover Relief Protocol: Detoxifying Blend
1 TBsp sweet almond oil
2 drops lemon essential oil
2 drops thyme essential oil
2 drops cilantro essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
In a 0.5 oz (15 mL) blue or amber glass bottle, mix 1 Tbsp almond oil with 2 drops each of lemon, thyme, rosemary and cilantro. Cap tightly and shake to mix. Use, or store for later in a cool, dry location.
Massage Blend
sweet almond oil
8 drops ylang ylang essential oil
4 drops clary sage essential oil
2 drops bergamot essential oil
2 drops sandalwood essential oil
What I'm Watching
"Will is that which changes thought into energy." - Yogananda
This is such an interesting film! A look at the reaction of the western world as a 'superstar guru' came to Los Angeles featuring commentary by Deepak Chopra, Russel Simmons, and even If you've read Autobiography of a Yogi, that's only the beginning to Yogananda's story :)
YEM: Yoga as Energy Medicine with Parvati
Wow! Parvati is such a gifted and mesmerizing teacher... one of my favorite aspects to her teachings is the way she draws in energetic movement and lines of energy. She'll help you become more aware of the subtle intricacies of the practice. Each routine is incredibly revitalizing and healing. Great DVD.
What are you guys reading and watching these days? I'd love to hear! XO
