Yoga

[fajrdrako]

As if to cheer me up and give me hope, Yoga Journal had this to say today:

In clinical trials, patients with asthma, type II diabetes, or high blood pressure who began a regular practice of yoga were able to lower their drug dosage or eliminate some pills entirely.

Note to self: do yoga today.

Comments

[countrycousin.livejournal.com]

BTW - I first went on BP meds in the 70's. I've been able to get off them twice, since, via diet and exercise. (I still exercise, but my weight control could be better - I just went back on as I indicated in my last comment.) The margin for error decreases as we age, and individual cases vary, but, yes, life-style changes do help.

Also, I tend to be a somewhat nervous, tense guy - first physician recommended to me "The Relaxation Response". I think it helped, too. Might not be your problem. But it helped me get out of the "Type A" category more. I think Yoga helps with that, too, except personally, I have the flexibility of a totem pole, and find the effort to approximate simple poses very stressful. :<)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

If you can do it, I can do it, and vice versa!

I try not to be nervous and tense. I really do. Mostly I think I'm not - but my natural inclination to tension is overlaid with a sort of yoga-generated denial of the same, which, when I am not actually doing the yoga exercises themselves, becomes a sort of self-delusional state. I think I'm not anxious - then, if I think about it, I realize I am. Yeah, "Type A".

Gotta watch that.

The point of yoga is to stretch, with flexibility as a side effect. I try not to worry about achievement, and focus on the relaxation/stretching thing. When it works, it's heaven. It used to be easier than it is now.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Must make opportunities for (semi-)regular instruction ASAP.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yoga is wonderful.

Thing is, it doesn't work unless you do it - a little bit daily is enough. But just intending to do it doesn't accomplish much.

I'd say: Go for it. If you can. Nothing has ever benefitted my life as much.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

Came across a reference to this while going through some old newspapers:

"Soy Nuts May Improve Blood Pressure In Postmenopausal Women
Science Daily — Substituting soy nuts for other protein sources in a healthy diet appears to lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women, and also may reduce cholesterol levels in women with high blood pressure, according to a new research. ... the women were instructed to replace 25 grams of protein with one-half cup of unsalted soy nuts."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070528160754.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=81450
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/30/health/webmd/main2868466.shtml
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/167/10/1060

Apparently it can be any source of soy, but nuts are particularly high-density soy protein,

Seems painless enough...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Soy is a funny substance. I've read in various places that it can increase menstrual/abdominal pain - and as you know, that's been an ongoing problem of mine forever. (Exacertabed by candidiasis.) So I have started avoiding soy, or at least quantities of soy, which is a pity, because I like it. I particularly like soy milk.

And I wish I was postmenopausal but it's looking as if I am going to be premenopausal forever and ever.

And unsalted soy nuts don't sound very delicious! Though I suppose one could eat them with something else.