Benefits of Inversion

I came home from teaching yoga last night and found my handsome husband waiting with a surprise for me... an inversion table! I've been aware of the benefits of inversion through inverted yoga poses for awhile, and have wanted to try an inversion table for quite some time.... Let me tell you, it feels *incredible!*
 

Inversion is definitely something to consider, especially given the many benefits:

Inversion relieves back pain with better posture and greater spinal mobility.

Inversion uses gravity to gently align, adjust, and give traction to the spine. This healthy traction decompresses the vertebrae, creating space for the discs while straightening and balancing the spinal column. Prime back care results are experienced when the supportive muscles of the spinal column are synergistically lengthened and strengthened from performing inversion and therapeutic movement.Inversion offers the easiest way to ease strains caused by compression and to lift the weight off the superimposed segments of the body.

Inversion boosts brain power.

Blood flow to the brain is increased, nourishing the brain cells with more oxygen and nutrients required for optimal brain function. Inverted poses commonly increase concentration, memory, awareness, and stimulate thought. Hanging upside-down increases blood flow to the brain, which in-turn increases the bioavailability of oxygen and glucose, the two most important metabolic substrates for the brain. Simultaneously, inversions alter the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and relieve compression of the bottom portion of the brain, which could also greatly help to improve overall brain function. Dr. Robert M Martin wrote that the brain operates 14% more accurately when the brain is operating on an inverted, inclined plane.

Inversion improves digestion and elimination.
The yogic approach to overcoming constipation is to perform inversions. When in the upright position, stool moving from the ileocecal valve through the ascending colon is moving against the force of gravity and may prove to be difficult. When inverted, it is moving with gravity. The pressing of the stool against the intestinal walls also encourages movement. When inverted, the pressure on the walls stimulates a stronger peristalsis.

Inversion promotes lymphatic drainage and blood purification.
This healthy detoxification is partly why a great feeling of rejuvenation is experienced when in inverted poses. Immunity is boosted with increased lymphatic cleansing and overall body function happens more efficiently and effectively. The lymphatic system clears toxins from the tissues and plays a vital role in the immune system. Inversions are recognized by yoga practitioners as important positions to keep lymph in circulation, thus reducing edema (swelling) conditions of the legs, relieving pressure in varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The lymphatic nodule system is imperative to immunity as it contains macrophage cells, which intercept and kill foreign bacteria, and lymphocytes, which manufacture antibodies in order to control foreign microorganisms. As inversions promote more rapid circulation of the lymph through the nodes, the rate of blood purification and detoxification increases, helping to revitalize and maintain youth and beauty.

Sources:
Mel Robin, Ph. D, A Physiological Handbook for teachers of Yogasana, Fenstra Books, Tuscon, AZ, 2002
Dr Robert M Martin, M.D., The Gravity Guidance System: Turning the Aging Process Upside Down, Gravity Guidance Inc., Pasadena, CA, 1982
Larry J. Nosse, “Inverted Spinal Traction,” Archives of Physical Medicine, Volume 59: 367-370, August 1978
Joanne Broatch, Better Back Better Body, STL International, Inc., Tacoma, WA, 1993

Start Making Progress

The opportunities you have are too beautiful and too valuable for you to let them pass you by. Stop making excuses and start making progress.

What you imagine, you can begin. What you begin, you can finish.

It's all a matter of choosing to get it done. That's a choice you can make in any and every moment.

Sure, there are challenges and yes, you'll have to step outside your comfort zone to make the necessary efforts. The great thing is, you're fully capable of doing whatever it takes.

You can, if you will. You will, when you make it meaningful enough.

There's great value to be found as you make your way through this day. Seize the opportunity, make the necessary effort, and bring that value to life in your world.

-- Ralph Marston

"Your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing."  Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president

The Trap: Struggle

Chinese finger traps are fascinating.  Why?   Because they represent situations where the harder you struggle, the less progress you make.  It's only when you relax your hands and give up on struggling that you can make any progress in getting out of the trap.  Pull harder and harder and you'll get nowhere.

When working towards our ultimate health goal, sometimes we get into situations that simply make us feel "stuck," like no matter how hard we struggle, how hard we work, how much we exercise, or how well we eat, we just don't seem to get the results we want.  One thing after another goes wrong and nothing we do seems to be helping.  We continue to struggle, getting more and more frustrated, and still not seeing any real results.  Eventually, the majority of people simply raise the white flag to exhaustion, chalk it up to "fat" DNA, and settle for remaining where they're at- giving up on the goal of living a healthier, happier life.

Giving up is not the answer.

But neither is struggling and forcing ourselves into exhaustion.  
Reaching your ultimate health goal doesn't have to be such a struggle- It's ok to make mistakes.  Progress takes time and there is no easy answer.  Be patient and gracious to yourself and remember that struggling through every day will actually do you more harm than good in the long run.  Having a negative attitude, forcing yourself into crazy routines, or demanding that your body do more than it's capable of doing at that moment will not get you closer to your goal, it will only wear you out and discourage you, which will sap your energy and destroy your motivation to continue on.

This isn't a call to take the easy way out but rather a reminder that at times we may get into situations where the harder we struggle, the less progress we make.  Sometimes the key to our next step of success actually lies in relaxing- not demanding too much of ourselves or wanting to see unrealistic progress to quickly, but simply enjoying the journey.  

Sweet Deception

The chemicals found in artificial sweeteners are not fully digested by your body. Why risk the side affects of chemically produced artificial sweeteners? It's time that we open our eyes and see the sweet deception... personally, I'd take a little natural sugar over CHEMICALS anyday!