Yoga Cures
Yoga Cures: No More Cellulite
Besides whipping your leg muscles into sexy shape, yoga can help smooth spongy thighs. “Cellulite is a symptom of reduced lymph circulation,” says Atma JoAnn Levitt, M.A., R.N., head of the integrative weight loss program at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. For those of you who skipped biology class, lymph is the somewhat yucky bodily fluid that contains white blood cells.
The Fix: “Yoga [causes] lymph to flow more freely through fatty areas, flushing toxins and reducing cellulite,” Levitt says. Inversions or upside-down positions like these two are especially good for moving lymph along.
Half Shoulderstand: Lie on your back with arms by your side. Bend your knees and rock your legs up, bringing your knees to your forehead and placing your hands under your hips to support them, keeping your elbows on the floor. Hold for 8 to 10 breaths, then slowly release your knees and roll gently back onto the floor. Learn this pose from a teacher before attempting on your own, then practice once every other day.
Plow: Begin in half shoulder stand (above). Now straighten your legs,
extending them back out over your head, and rest your toes on the
floor. Straighten your arms on the floor, palms down. Hold for 8 to 10
breaths, bend your knees back to your forehead, then lower your body
gently down onto the floor.
Comments
30 Sep 2008, 12:50
Lymph is the beautiful waters of our body. Our bodies internal maid service. I am a manual bodywork practitioner and do alot of manual lymphatic drainage. It is benefical at helping the body improve on all levels. I think this author needs to think twice before saying negative comments about the human body it is not conducive to positive overall body image or health.
Namaste'