yoga back health – Yoga and Diet For Prostate Health – A Comprehensive Guide to a Healthier Prostate
A comprehensive guide to a healthier prostate.
The Prostate Gland is a bloke thing. It is one of the organs in the urinary and reproductive system of the body. It is a male sex gland made up of a cluster of smaller glands which surround the urethra and a portion of the bladder. It’s to be taken seriously fellas.
This mysterious gland is small, doughnut shaped, and situated at the base of the bladder. It causes more grief to men than just about any other part of their bodies, and prostate cancer will soon be the major killer of men in Australia. Although approximately 50% of Australian men may experience some type of prostate problem at some stage of their lives, until it plays up, men rarely give their prostate a second thought – not a good idea.
Its main function is during the sexual act – when ejaculation occurs, it secretes an alkaline fluid that forms part of the semen. This fluid nourishes and provides volume to the semen, along with other seminal fluids.
Walnut sized in young men, enlargement of the prostate is common in men over 50 and approximately 4 in 10 men over the age of 60 have it. Enlargement occurs when the glands and connective tissues surrounding the urethra thicken and block urine flow.
Prostate Enlargement Causes -
1. Ageing. As the body ages, harmless nodules develop in the tissues of the prostate, which accumulate and gradually enlarge the gland. Eventually the gland becomes large enough to ‘press’ or ‘strangle’ the urethra and obstruct urination.
2. Low levels of zinc. The tissues of the prostate gland normally have high levels of zinc. Zinc levels gradually decrease as you grow older.
3. Over 50 testosterone levels start decreasing. This causes an increase in the quantity of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which over-produces prostate cells.
4. Postural faults and obesity could also affect prostate health. A heavy body and lengthy periods of sitting put more pressure on the pelvic region and perineum, resulting in congestion in and around the prostate.
5. Constipation can also be a cause. Hardened faeces and an overloaded rectum cause excessive pressure on the prostate gland.
Prostate problem symptoms -
1. The obvious one is difficulty in passing urine. This is due to compression of the urethra by the prostate blocking the flow. You may strain or have to wait a while before being able to go.
2. A weak flow of urine starts, and then stops. The stream is narrower and less powerful.
3. Involuntary leakage – there may be a tendency to dribble urine, much like incontinence.
4. One may find it difficult to stop urination once it has started.
5. You visit the bathroom more often. There may be a frequent need or urge to urinate 2 or 3 times nightly, as well as during the day.
6. Even after passing urine, you’re still left with the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
7. Due to prolonged obstruction, the small veins in the bladder and urethra stretch. When you strain to urinate, the veins may burst, causing blood to enter the urine. Due to this, painful urination, called Dysuria, may occur.
8. There could be a mild pain in the lower back, hips and legs and occasional impotency.
Basically, symptoms are very similar to those experienced by women who have weak pelvic floor muscles. Both reflect a weakness in the muscles around the genitals, bladder and reproductive organs as well as a weakness around the perineum or Root Chakra/Mulabhanda.
Diet & vitamins support -
The importance of the trace mineral zinc in maintaining prostate health is paramount. Zinc is essential for prostate gland and male hormone function. It is known as the ‘male mineral’ and is required to produce sperm and seminal fluid. A deficiency may cause impotency and infertility.
It has now been well established that there is a link between prostate health and the zinc content in prostate tissue.
Diet guide -
o Maintain a low-fat diet and watch your cholesterol levels.
o Include Omega-6 and Omega-3′s that help regulate nervous system function.
o Bake, steam, stir-fry or make salads instead of deep-frying.
o Choose low-fat over full-cream milk and make it organic if possible.
o Avoid fat-filled salad dressings and rich sauces that agitate the liver and heart.
o Drink eight glasses of water daily – Green Tea is also beneficial for the prostate.
o Increase your daily intake of fibrous foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, particularly red and red-orange ones, and increase your Vitamin C, A, B6, E, cod liver oil and flaxseed oils.
o Check whether your intake of Vitamin D is adequate – this includes down-time to rest in the sun and allow your mind to unravel with meditation, music or power-naps to help reduce your stress levels. Stress is a major contributor to imbalances on all levels of being (body, mind, emotional and spiritual).
o Avoid spicy (in Yogic Ayurvedic terms these are called ‘rajasic’) foods that can increase body heat, digestive fire and agitate emotions.
o Watermelon seeds have natural diuretic properties which help prevent excess build-up of urine.
o Avoid or minimize alcohol intake. Try not drinking for a few days and then reintroduce it. After just a day you should notice whether it makes the urine symptoms better or worse. This is because alcohol constricts the bladder neck, and hampers urination that can lead to a restless mind and body.
o Avoid decongestants and antihistamines that alter the body’s natural elimination process.
o Avoid smoking and smoky environments. There is some evidence that (as well as all the other negative health results!); cigarette smoking indirectly affects the size of the enlarging prostate. This could be because constricted blood vessels throughout the body affect how much oxygen and nutrient rich blood flows to the organs and extremities.
o Avoid coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks and chocolate. Some men find that prostate problems are made worse with caffeine because the neck of the bladder is constricted by increased caffeine levels. Again, try the elimination approach.
o Include zinc in your diet: zinc has been shown to improve urinary symptoms and reduce the size of the prostate, and can therefore be effective in preventing and reversing prostate enlargement. Vegetables high in zinc include dried beans, garbanzos, black-eyed peas, lentils, peas, beets, cabbage and whole grains. Additionally, pumpkin seeds, oats, whole wheat and rye.
* Add Selenium, Evening Primrose Oil and the Amino Acids daily – glutamine, alanine and lysine in particular – to maintain healthy cardiovascular and nervous system function.
How Yoga can help -
Yoga connects all systems and energies throughout the body and enhances blood quality, respiratory function, regulates hormone production and flow, digestion and elimination, as well as helping balance and calm the mind and emotions. Yoga can strengthen, release and balance simultaneously, and give men the mental challenges they need depending on the sequences, agility and focus needed. Poor circulation can exacerbate prostate issues. Regular yoga practice can increase blood flow, deepen the breath and release neuro-muscular knots to tone and nourish all cells, organs, joints and tissues. Any congestion or blocked prana/chi/energy will then disperse to restore wellbeing so we feel more aligned, more as nature intended.
Yoga also helps give men a sense of exertion with calmness rather than agitating their systems. This is particularly good because it allows men to connect with their softer side and explore aspects of their emotions that they may not necessarily do in a power aerobic or boxing class – without having to sacrifice or subdue their masculinity! Men can learn to acknowledge and appreciate their inner voice by being on the mat, and after time, may even begin to explore and express what is inside more often, and with more confidence.
Yoga is about creating unity between your mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual selves – the physical benefits are just a bonus. Asana (postures) is what we do in order to sit and meditate comfortably with a still, undistracted mind. It’s not about being a flexible pretzel or proving how much longer you can hold a pose than the person beside you – something men especially tend to forget when the voices of competition and ego bark loudly in their ears!
By bringing particular awareness to the perineum or Root Lock/Base Chakra that governs instincts, behavior, confidence and blood quality, prostate symptoms, and the sense of feeling unsupported, may be relieved. Once awareness is established, you then work into strengthening and governing energy through the Base Chakra which will restore power through the spine and help men assert their masculinity in a confident yet calm way.
Here are 6 great Yoga postures (safe for beginners) that will improve prostate health -
1. Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) – increases blood supply to the pelvis, kidneys, prostate and bladder, and brings awareness and energy into Mulabhanda/Root Lock.
* Sit upright on a blanket with soles of feet together, knees wide. Interlace fingers around outer edge of toes, focus on lengthening the spine and lifting the chest on each inhalation, and relaxing shoulders and tailbone downwards on each exhalation. Do against a wall for support if difficult. Draw energy up through your perineum (small point between anus and genitals) as you breathe to contact Mulabhanda. Engage abdominals slightly and lift through the spine to stimulate and cleanse digestive and reproductive organs.
2. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) – strengthens the arms & legs, lengthens the spine, opens the chest and lungs and strengthens the heart. An excellent all-rounder pose!
* Start on all fours, hands under shoulders with fingers spread, knees under hips, toes tucked under. Exhale and lift buttocks up as you move your chest back towards your thighs as the legs straighten. Neck is relaxed, ears in line with upper arms, keep knees bent if hamstrings and lower back tight. Hold and breathe as you press down firmly into all knuckles of the hands and lift kneecaps into thighs whilst drawing heels to the floor. No tension in the face. Keep abdominals active and broaden across the chest, moving the armpits towards each other. Rest in child’s’ pose, head to mat, arms down by your side and buttocks on heels for a few breaths after.
3. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose Variation) – knees bent with feet pointing up to ceiling – this variation contacts the kidneys more deeply and helps with hormonal flow. Also helps to stimulate production of all male hormonal fluids by directly stimulating the bladder, kidneys and sex glands.
* Lay on your belly, hands beside chest with fingers spread, forehead down. Legs hip width apart, start to press pubic bone and tops of legs and feet into the mat and draw shoulders down from ears and elbows in towards each other. Inhale and slowly lift chest off mat, keeping arms close to ribs with elbows bent and shoulders down. Hold where comfortable for a few breaths and press pubic bone, navel and legs firmly into mat. Don’t come up so high that your back jams or your arms straighten. Look to floor so neck stays long and expand chest and lungs as you lengthen your spine from pubic bone to crown. Rest with head to one side after, arms by side and legs relaxed.
4. Supta Padangusthasana – (Reclining Big Toe Pose) – relieves backache, stretches hips and hamstrings and opens the lower back so energy can flow along the kidneys and through bladder meridians.
* Lie on your back, bend one knee to chest and other leg stays long, feet flexed. Place strap around ball of bent leg foot and straighten upwards. Keep shoulders relaxed and arms straight, chin drawn to throat gently. Hold and breathe, feeling the hamstring/achilles and belly connection. When you exhale press the waist to the mat and lengthen further through both legs. Raised leg does not need to be vertical but it does need to be straight. Hold for a few breaths then release and swap sides.
5. Paripurna Navasana (Boat Pose) – tones the kidneys, abdominals and strengthens the lower back. Keep feet on floor or hug knees to chest as you balance to switch belly on.
* Sit on your buttocks and hug knees to chest. Start to balance on your sitting bones and lift your toes off the floor, feeling your belly engage. Gradually begin to lift your feet with shins parallel to the floor, feet flexed, leaning back 30-40 degrees and lift the chest, arms reaching out to the feet and parallel to the floor as well. Keep breathing, working the Mulabhanda and drawing all your strength into your centre. Hug knees to chest after a few breaths.
6. Virasana (Seated Hero Pose) – Meditate in this position to finish your practice. Excellent for calming and centering the mind and digestive fire. Focus on drawing up Mulabhanda. Alternative is Savasana (Corpse Pose) for mediation.
* Lay on your back, legs long, arms by your side and head supported with a blanket if need to. Rolled blanket under your knees and an eyebag or cover over the eyes. Relax completely and focus on your breath, releasing all joints, muscles, organs and then the skin, to the earth in surrender and peace. Stay for at least 5 minutes and then roll to your side and curl up in a ball before coming up and finishing.
Practice daily, 20 minutes should suffice, gradually build up to longer by holding poses for more breaths, and pay attention to your breathing, how you feed yourself and what you choose to hold onto in life. Only stretch within a range of motion that is free of sharp pain.
The best time to meditate is after your asanas, on an empty stomach, and preferably at sunrise or sunset.
In summary it’s no surprise that in the West we experience some of the highest statistics for prostate (and breast) cancers. Why? For me, perhaps we place too much emphasis on the body and associated material paraphernalia, when instead we could be focusing on connecting and honoring, not only our own spirit and potential, but each other’s as well. Maybe if we reversed our thoughts and began living from a positive space more often, stopped to feel and appreciate the earth beneath our feet, an earth that gives us what we need, we could reduce those statistics and replace them with high self-esteem, vitality and chronic happiness! Are we brave enough to imagine, let alone create, such a world?
It all starts with us as individuals and that is why yoga is such an effective therapy. On our mats we are all equal, we all have the same bodies, we feel the same sensations and we recognize our failings and triumphs in the person practicing beside us. Yoga makes us feel, breathe and embrace. It makes us laugh at ourselves (something I think we don’t do enough of) and ignites our compassionate, human nature. And with that kind of power burning inside of you, dis-ease will have a hard time staying alight.
Conventional treatment -
If you think you have prostate problems, don’t assume you do, it’s very important to have it checked out by your GP. A digital rectal exam (DRE) and, or urine and blood tests, will confirm whether or not you have Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) or other prostate problems, and an ultra-sound test can be done to check for prostate cancer.
1f9f
Benefits Of Yoga Breathing Exercises (pranayama)
Yoga evolved in ancient India more than 4000 years back. The word “Yoga” originates from the Sanskrit language and means, to join or integrate, or simply union. The meaning of Yoga is union of the body, mind and spirit with truth. Yoga encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life.
In spite of all its greatness and goodness though, Yoga was never practised on a large scale in India in the sense that the common people were not in its ambit. It is only in the last decade or so that Yoga has spread among the masses, thanks to Yoga Gurus like Baba Ramdev and literally tens of millions of people in India and elsewhere are coming within its fold and benefitting from it in a very real sense. You just speak with anyone who practises yoga and they will quickly extoll an endless list of its benefits and sing its praise. Housewives, businessmen, sportspeople, teenagers and the aged are all practising a variety of yoga asanas (postures), dhyana (meditation) and pranayama (breathing exercises). For many, yoga becomes a way of life – often giving a more spiritual side to their lives.
The modern world scenario with its stressful life and cut-throat competition is providing a very fertile ground for the growth and spread of Yoga. Medical practitioners always questioned the efficacy of Yoga, but now it is being prescribed even by doctors for health ailments and illnesses, as a stress reliever and to complement other fitness programs. There are numerous documented cases of yoga relieving or curing serious illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses like asthma, diabetes, bloodpressure, etc.
The sphere of Yoga is very very big. However, for the common man practising Yoga, the problem is of shortage of time because of which he cannot go into all aspects of Yoga. So two aspects become very important for him for good health, physical fitness, flexibility and mental relaxation, viz namely asanas (physical exercise) and pranayama (breathing exercises). Here, I will concentrate on Pranayama.
As you all know, oxygen is the supreme necessity for our bodies and without it we cannot survive perhaps even for a couple o
1000
f minutes. There is almost unlimited oxygen all around us. But we do not know how to get its benefits fully as we never utilize our full lung capacity. Consequently our body is sort of starved of oxygen. Pranayama is a technique to govern the breathing process. Breathing is normally an unconscious process. Through Pranayama, a person learns to consciously govern the breath to bring harmony into the body, mind and spirit. Regular breathing exercises tremendously increase the capacity to inhale and absorb life-giving oxygen. The capacity of the lungs even during unconscious breathing increases. There are four breathing exercises which are particularly helpful :
1)BHASTRIKA PRANAYAMA : In this you repeatedly breathe in to the full capacity of your lungs and then breathe out completely. Should be done for minm. 2minutes ; maxm is 5 minutes
Helps heart, lungs, brain, nervous system, and in migraine, depression, paralysis, etc.
2)KAPALBHATI PRANAYAMA: In this breathing exercise, you exhale completely and with force while pulling in your abdomen.
Inhaling is done in a normal manner. Should be repeated 30 times, maxm 10 minutes.
Helps in diabetes, constipation, gastric problems, hepatitis B, obesity, cholesterol, asthma, snoring and even in cancer and AIDS.
3)ANULOM VILOM PRANAYAMA: This pranayama is slightly more complicated but the benefits are enormous. (a) Close your right nasal orifice with your thumb and breathe in deeply with your left nose. (b) Now open the right nose, close the left nose with middle and ring fingers, and breathe out completely with your right nose. (c) Next, breathe in deeply with the right nose, close the right nose with your thumb, and breathe out completely with the left nose. Start again with (a), then move onto (b) then (c).
Repeat for at least 10 minutes.
Helps in heart, high blood pressure, heart blockages, arthritis, migraine, depression, neural system, paralysis, asthma, sinus, allergy, Parkinson’s disease, etc
4)BHRAMARI PRANAYAMA: Here you close your ears with thumbs, keep index fingers on your forehead and rest three fingers should cover both eyes. Breathe in deeply and then breathe out through the nose while making a humming sound like a honey bee. Should be done seven to ten times.
Helps in cases of tension, hypertension, high blood pressure, heart, heart blockages, paralysis, migraine pain, etc. Improves concentration and confidence.
Now let us summarise the benefits that accrue if a person does Pranayama every morning (or evening) for a period of 20 to 25 minutes
It increases lung capacity and improves breathing efficiency,
It improves circulation, helps normalize blood pressure and improves cardiovascular efficiency,
It boosts the immune system and enhances immunity,
It increases energy levels and gives a lot of positive energy,
It strengthens and tones the nervous system,
It combats anxiety and depression and improves sleep,
It improves digestion and excretory functions,
It provides massage to the internal organs, stimulates the glands and enhances endocrine functions,
It normalizes body weight and provides great conditioning for weight loss,
and lastly it improves skin tone and complexion
ARE YOU NOT DEPRIVING YOURSELF OF THE BENEFITS OF YOGA AND PRANAYAMA?
By: nunuram
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
The author nunu ram is fascinated by the net as an unlimited source of information. He searches for useful things and loves to pass on the same to others also. For more details, please go to the following site:
1000
ehealthy.ucoz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nunus-behealthy.ucoz.com
www.squidoo.com/pranayama-breathing-exercises
vital-traffic.com/link/breathingexercise
Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Yoga Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From – Home | Health & Fitness | Yoga
Yoga Central – Staff Pose
How Yoga can Benefit Pregnant Women
Avail perfect health in the Spiritual vacation Hawaiian Islands
Yoga Central – Half Moon Pose
Boost your memory with yoga music
The Lemonade Diet Master Cleanse Newsletter
Welcoming all to Spirit Voyages collection of exclusive Yoga DVDs
Avail Yoga benefits online and enjoy great life
Flex Your Body by Practicing Hatha Yoga
Bring happiness and inner peace by practicing yoga
How To Stop Being The Average American!
by: Dr. Wendy Schauer, DC, RKC
Break Out of Your Box!
The average American lifestyle goes something like this: We drive to work in a box, we sit for 8 hours inside a box (affectionately referred to by some as a cubicle), we drive home in a box, then we sit in front of our box TV (and if we’re really doing well in life it’s actually more of a flat rectangle), we throw a box dinner in the microwave and then go hop in our box bed for sleep. This cycle continues day after day, week after week.
Some may try to vary the routine or change their state of mind by drinking an alcoholic beverage or eating tons of sugar, but this will never give them the feeling of well-being that good health and fitness can provide. There is just no way that an overweight body which is oxygen-deprived can be happy. No wonder we are a country of fat, exhausted, and depressed people. WE HAVE TO BREAK OUT OF OUR BOXES!
Oh I have had my own moments of being fat, exhausted, or depressed. At times I would be out of breath just going up 14 stairs to the second floor of my home. How depressing is that? Well, I didn’t remain in that condition forever, and I much prefer my life now – fit, energized, and happy. Believe it or not, a large part of the answer to my troubles was discovered with kettlebells and the multiple health benefits they provide.
Not Your Average Exercise
There is no other exercise out there that tones your body like kettlebells do. They provide a unique combination of strength and cardio exercise to build endurance and stamina like no other workout. It is hard not to feel good when your body is being pumped full of oxygen and you are using muscles like they were meant to be used. I dare you to come to one of my classes and then tell me you’re depressed afterwards – it’s simply not possible! I have exercised my entire life but I have never felt so fully alive until I started working out with kettlebells.
I tried the gym, but I didn’t find what I was looking for. The treadmill did nothing for me and was boring. I lifted weights but noticed no change in my muscles. I began lifting more but my muscles were still nowhere to be found, and it certainly was not helping my back pain or energy level. Now understand, I’m not trying to knock the gym… but for me it just wasn’t the right answer, and I know I am not the only one out there with the same story.
I started working with the kettlebell in November and by December my back pain was gone and I felt more energetic than I had in years. I continued my routine and soon I was getting muscles all over. My abdominals were stronger than I could ever imagine. I could see and feel the fat melting away. My body became strong, supported, and erect – not the floppy mess that it was. I am now able to use my body to the fullest, and my energy is through the roof. This allows me to see my chiropractic patients until 6:15 at night and then I teach a kettlebell class for an hour, four nights a week. I have more energy now at 40 than when I was in my twenties.
Results in the Real World
Tiffany is my 20-year-old receptionist and is very fit. She usually goes to the gym five nights a week and works out for two or more hours. She heard the buzz about kettlebells and their butt-kicking potential but was very skeptical — they looked too simple and unassuming. After all, she had a trainer at her gym who would put her through what was supposed to be a gut-wrenching workout – one that would leave her ‘feeling the burn’. But afterwards she felt no increase in energy and wasn’t even sore. She then took my hour-long kettlebell class and said she had never worked out so hard in her life. She realized that she had used muscles for the first time that she never even knew existed.
Putting a load on your muscles over time builds stamina and endurance. The body is now able to tolerate activities of daily living with ease. Instead of lumbering up the stairs and being out of breath you will be able to run up them with energy to spare. The ballistic nature of kettlebells is what gives you the power, strength, and stamina to get through your day. To raise the kettlebell over your head repeatedly you have to use all your muscles and cardiovascular endurance. 15-20 minutes a day is all you need to give your body an amazing workout. Even if you begin with five minutes of swings a day you will start to feel changes in your body.
I have a woman in my class in her early 60’s named Connie. She has never been able to do a sit-up. Never, not even as a child. She is now able to do sit-ups because she has strengthened her abs and entire body doing nothing more than swings and snatches. Pretty powerful! It was after one of my classes she got pulled over by the police for speeding. She was so excited that she could do a sit-up that she didn’t realize how fast she was going. It’s energizing to have Connie in class because she keeps challenging her body to improve. She will line up three different sizes of kettlebells and will start with the heaviest one. If her form wavers she moves to the next smaller size. She is now using her body as it was meant to be used. As she keeps up the work she will be stronger and more fit than she has ever been.
A Meditative Workout
As demanding as it may be, a kettlebell workout has a meditative quality to it, allowing the mind to become quiet and calm. When I am snatching the 24 kg bell I am focusing on nothing other than doing it with proper form. I focus on my breathing, my core, and my squatting position. There are no thoughts about what’s for dinner, the dirty laundry, unopened mail or tomorrow’s schedule. All of your attention is on the bell and your body. Your mind is clear and focused. Most of us have that awful monkey-chatter going on in our head. “I’m too fat, I’m ugly, I don’t make enough money, my life sucks.” In a kettlebell class your mind is clear for at least 15-20 minutes as oxygen is pumping through your body, and you are feeling more powerful than you thought you could be. Can you remember the last time you felt that? It may seem minor as you sit there reading about it, but it’s powerful to experience and begins paving a path that can quickly bring benefits to many aspects of your life.
Are Kettlebells For You?
You may be wondering if kettlebells can work for you. Start by thinking about exercise programs or products you have tried in the past. Now consider the characteristics and benefits of kettlebells and decide for yourself.
1. They are easy to use. You don’t have to add weight onto a machine or change elastic bands. You don’t have to know how to dance or have rhythm. Once you have learned the correct technique for two simple moves – the ‘snatch’ and the ‘swing’ – you are ready to go. There is not a big learning curve.
2. They can be used anywhere. Kettlebell exercise requires very little space. I started working out in a hallway near my living room, which was a very small area. I have worked out in my garage, the parking lot at my office, in my yard, and in a hotel room. Kettlebells are small enough to take anywhere and you can store yours under your bed, under your desk, behind a door, or in your car.
3. They are effective. You will work on your cardio, strength, and flexibility in just 15-20 minutes a day. Most of us who worked out in the gym are used to isolating muscles. When doing a bicep curl you use the bicep only and no other muscle. That’s why it takes so long to do all the exercises in a gym. With kettlebells you use all the muscles in your body to perform the exercises. There are no separate exercises because the butt, abs, legs, and arms all get worked at the same time.
4. They are challenging and fun. People stop going to the gym because it gets old. I usually will stop an exercise six months after I start because I get bored and I don’t get the changes I expected. I have been doing kettlebells four times per week for a year and I haven’t gotten bored yet. There are so many exercise choices that you never lose interest. Figure eights, cleans, clean and jerk, hot potato, lunges… the list goes on. If an exercise is fun, gives you results and isn’t time consuming you will stick with it. That exercise is kettlebells.
5. They will strengthen your weak or strained areas. I’m a Chiropractor, and recognize that kettlebells strengthened my spine and core so that I no longer have back pain. I tried pilates, yoga, weight lifting, treadmill, elliptical, bicycle, walking and aerobics –all of them worsened my pain. With kettlebells I am now pain-free. I have clients with shoulder pain, hip pain, back pain, and neck pain. Many of my patients have been to multiple physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists some with minimal change in their pain. All have experienced improvement by using kettlebells. I got my Russian Kettlebell Certification (RKC), not just to teach the average person, but to help my patients when they had no quality of life due to pain and weakness. It warms my heart when I see someone’s life start to change.
6. They will save you money. I’m not talking about the price of the kettlebell. I am talking about the money you will save on doctor bills. When I injured my back there was an entire year when I was being seen 3-4 times per week for chiropractic adjustments, 2-3 times a month for acupuncture and twice a month for massage. That sure adds up. The kettlebell price is also very reasonable considering it will last a lifetime – you can’t wear them out!
7. They will help you break out of the box! They will prevent you from being a typical American. You will no longer be able to sit at your desk for longer than 20 minutes because you will notice how strange it feels not to move. You will begin to eat better because you will take more pride in your body. When you are pushing your body to new limits it begins to naturally crave different sources of fuel. You will be fit, energized and happy because your body will be functioning at a higher level.
The Power to Break Out of Your Box
How can kettlebells change your life? They will give you power. Physically you will be stronger than you ever imagined. But you will also be amazed at the other changes in your life. I have become more powerful in all areas of my life. My business is better, my interactions with others have improved, my whole outlook on life is better. I have a sense of confidence and know I can do anything I want to. Bring on whatever life has to offer…because I’m ready. Kettlebells have given me this power. I want you to experience these same changes for yourself. It’s time to pick up your kettlebell now and stop being the average American!
Disclaimer: The above parties are not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury or health condition that may occur through following the opinions expressed here. Consult with your physician before starting any exercise program.
About The Author
Dr. Wendy M. Schauer, DC, RKC, FICPA, is the President of Community Chiropractic, PS and Co-Founder of Abundant Fitness Center, PS in Olympia, Washington. Dr. Wendy is available for speaking engagements as well as radio and television interviews. She can be reached via her website http://www.AbundantFitnessCenter.com or by phone at 360.556.6633.
Mail this post