New on The Resilience Blog:

A Gentler, Non-Weight Bearing Sun Salutation

For the past several months, quite a few clients have asked about an alternative to the weight-bearing poses typically found in Sun Salutation. Due to injuries or surgeries, they had been wisely advised to avoid poses like downward facing dog and plank until they healed.

One client was bereft that she was unable to do her morning routine. In such situations, its my job to find safe and effective alternatives.

I’m familiar with many versions of Sun Salutation and also the lovely alternative Moon Salutation. The challenge with many of the Moon Salutations is that they require extreme flexion in the knees – typically, a half-squat – when moving from side to side.

I now offer this version as a gentle alternative, which clients really enjoy...

Watch the video now on
The Resilience Blog!

 

 

6 Tips for a Healthy Summer

I grew up a tomboy in Florida. Waterskiing, playing softball (batting clean-up, thank you very much!) and cracking open coconuts were regular activities in the hot sun. While moderate amounts of sun are key for Vitamin D and overall well-being, I'm very careful about extended exposure now. Here are my 6 top tips for healthy time outdoors this summer:
 

1. Toss and recycle old containers of sunscreen, and make sure any new ones you buy have both UVA and UVB – a/k/a broad-spectrum – protection.  Choose sunscreens without parabens and phthalates. EWG’s latest sunscreen guide offers easy-to-understand safety ratings based on studies available in the open scientific literature. 
   
   If you drive frequently, be sure to apply sunscreen to your left arm before heading out (or keep it covered). A high percentage of skin cancers happen on this side, presumably from those who drive often with their window open.
2. A long-time fan of hats, I have two go-to sources of stylish products with high SPF fabrics: Scala for hats and Coolibar for clothing, hats and accessories. Their products have the highest rated SPF: 50+. Go with these, and you can go a whole lot easier on the sunscreen.
3. Summertime means outdoor grilling. If you grill meat, marinate it ahead of time to reduce the carcinogenic compounds produced under high-heat by up to 50%. Your best bets for marinade? Vegetable oils, citrus, vinegar, mustard, herbs and spices. Avoid sugars, as they tend to negate the healthy benefits of marinade. Want to go one better? Grill veggies. Studies show that they produce little to none of the cancer-causing chemicals that meat does.
4. Prevent mosquito bites by forgoing perfumes and other floral fragrances that may attract them. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a good non-toxic solution, as effective as low concentrations of DEET.
5. Cover your lower legs and ankles when hiking in tick-prevalent areas. After outdoor activities, check any exposed skin. If you need to remove a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to gently lift it away with a slow and steady motion.  Don’t try to twist it out, as the head of the tick can remain lodged in the skin.
6. Hydration year-round is important to good health and digestion, but especially during the summer when we tend to sweat more. Because we benefit from water in many foods, rather than focusing on how many ounces you drink, pay attention instead to the color of your urine. It should be very light yellow or clear. If it’s dark, you know you need to drink more water.