Veggie Blog

Shoosh Lettick Crotzer’s Yoga for Fibromyalgia is the first yoga book devoted exclusively to managing the symptoms of this arthritis-related condition. Her comprehensive program of twenty-six illustrated yoga poses, breathing techniques, and guided visualization and relaxation sessions can be practiced regardless of age or yoga experience. She teaches how to use simple props—a chair, a blanket—to modify poses to support your body and your changing needs, and suggests how to use each pose to ease the effects of daily activities, such as sitting, driving, and gardening. The poses are modeled by yoga teacher Deirdre Carrigan who has fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia, which affects more women than men, is characterized by widespread pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on the body where slight pressure causes pain. Although mainstream medicine has yet to devise a successful plan for treating fibromyalgia, yoga offers sensible strategies for managing, and sometimes overcoming, the pain. Written by a yoga teacher and suitable for both yoga novices and veterans, this book is grounded in simple movements, breathing techniques, and guided visualization and relaxation sessions. Readers learn to reduce stress and manage fibromyalgia through eight sequences: four for pain relief, one to diminish fatigue and improve sleep, and three for maintaining body awareness and general flexibility. The author’s simple, supportive language and mixture of theory, practice, and the latest scientific data offer hope for one of the most challenging health conditions.

Book: Yoga for Fibromyalgia by Shoosh Lettick Crotzer
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How to Know God: The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali by Patanjali Real Yoga Instruction The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali is a major work on the practice of yoga and meditation. Through these ancient aphorisms you will learn how to control your mind and achieve inner peace and freedom. Although these methods were taught over 2,000 years ago, they are as alive and effective today as they have ever been. The 2008 edition has been reset and now has an extensive index for reference. Personal Review: How to Know God: The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali by Patanjali 1. Best book on spiritual growth and Yoga I have ever read, by far, out of many dozens. I would give it 20 stars if I could. This book is spot on. Brief, to the point, and powerful. No new Age fru fru stuff in here – this is for someone who really wants to start a disciplined spiritual practice that really will lead them somewhere. Amazing.

Translated with a commentary by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood.
Learn how you can control your mind and achieve inner freedom and peace through methods taught for over 2,000 years.

Book: How to Know God by Patanjali
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A cholesterol test report is full of numbers, and it is easy to feel lost. Knowing what each one means makes it much simpler to see where you stand and what, if anything, to change. Here is a plain guide to the main numbers, with the levels that MedlinePlus lists as healthy for most adults.

What does a cholesterol test measure?

A standard blood test, called a lipid panel, shows your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol because it is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries. HDL is the “good” kind, because it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. Triglycerides are not cholesterol, but they are another type of fat in the blood, and they can also raise your risk of heart disease. Some reports also give a non-HDL number, which is your total cholesterol minus your HDL.

Your doctor may ask you to fast for 9 to 12 hours before the test, which means nothing but water. Follow the instructions you are given.

What are healthy levels?

MedlinePlus gives these general targets for adults aged 20 and older, measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL): total cholesterol under 200, non-HDL under 130, and LDL under 100. HDL of 60 or more is best, and below 40 in men or below 50 in women is considered low. Triglycerides are normal below 150, borderline high at 150 to 199 and high at 200 or more. Your own targets may differ with your age, blood pressure, weight, family history and other conditions, so ask your doctor what they should be for you.

Why does the balance matter?

Having a lot of LDL and little HDL is what puts you at risk. Over time, extra LDL helps form plaque on artery walls, which can narrow them, and this can lead to heart attack or stroke. A high number is not a diagnosis of anything by itself, but it is a warning that is worth acting on while you can still do so with food and exercise.

How can you improve your numbers?

There are four main routes, and they usually work best together.

Eat for your heart. Eat less saturated fat from fatty meat, butter and full-fat dairy, and more fish, fruit, nuts, oats and vegetables. See our guides on how to lower cholesterol through diet and a diet to lower cholesterol.

Move more. Regular physical activity lowers LDL and triglycerides and raises HDL. Our post on exercise and cholesterol explains how much to aim for.

Aim for a healthy weight. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that adults with overweight or obesity can lower LDL and raise HDL by losing only 3% to 5% of their weight.

Take medicine if your doctor recommends it. Several kinds exist, including statins, ezetimibe and bile acid sequestrants. Read more in our post on when lifestyle is enough and when medicine helps. Some of these drugs have side effects, so your doctor should explain them to you before prescribing.

How often should you get tested?

Practice varies with your age and risk, but according to MedlinePlus, younger adults aged 21 to 65 should generally have the test every 5 years, and men aged 45 to 65 and women aged 55 to 65 every 1 to 2 years. People older than 65 should be tested every year. If cholesterol problems, early heart disease or diabetes run in your family, your doctor may suggest testing sooner or more often. A regular checkup costs far less than treating a heart attack, and it gives you the chance to prevent one.

One of the most enjoyable parts of a yoga class comes when we rest in savasana—the “corpse” pose—and realize deep serenity, a sense of eff ortless joy, and a glimpse into our true nature as unqualified presence. How is this so? Master teacher Richard Miller explains that this experience is a manifestation of yoga nidra, the meditative state of mind-body union at the heart of all yoga practice. A powerful integration of book and CD audio learning, Yoga Nidra is an ancient tantric yoga path that leads to inner freedom. Th rough accessible language appropriate for any level of practice, Miller takes us step by step through the traditional techniques of relaxation and meditation to help us move toward the realization of “unqualified presence”—the ultimate aim of yoga—a goal unreachable through posture practice alone. Through his expert guidance, students will experience: • Deep relaxation for relief from day-to-day stress • The development of “one-pointedness”—a key to spiritual awakening • Healing from painful emotions, such as fear, grief, and anger • More effective and energizing sleep, and much more Suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners—but new to most Westerners—Yoga Nidra provides an unmatched way to experience the culmination of the art of yoga, and the deeper physical, emotional, and spiritual rewards that are its promise.

Book: Yoga Nidra by Richard Miller PhD
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In Holy Yoga Author and yoga instructor Brooke Boon has combined her devotion to Christianity with her passion for a healthy body and mind to create a fitness book designed specifically for Christians. Through prayer, breath work, and movement Brooke teaches you how to worship the Lord and Savior, physically and spiritually. Includes a 50-minute instructional DVD.

People often equate yoga with Eastern religion, but Brooke Boon sees it as an exercise style that Christians can use to generate patience, strength, and deeper worship. Author and yoga instructor Brooke Boon combines her passion for Christianity with her commitment to health to introduce yoga as a physical and spiritual discipline that strengthens the body and the soul. Clear explanations and photographs make yoga accessible for any reader, and Brooke offers customized routines for readers struggling with specific issues, such as weight loss and anxiety. Through it all Brooke uses scriptural references to help reinforce the idea that by taking care of our bodies we can also take care of our faith.

Book: Holy Yoga by Brooke Boon
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