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Yoga Bytes - July 20, 2007
This week, let's think about the hamstrings ...
No muscle group is more vital to the stability of the spine than the hamstrings (others, like the abdominals, are as important, but not more important). Tight hamstrings can pull your spine right out of alignment leaving it susceptible to injury. Therefore, find a chair, any chair, and rest your heel on the chair seat.
Stand up nice and tall with both legs straight (see photo) 
then bend forward from the hips (as though your thighs are connected to your body with a hinge) keeping your back straight. It doesn't matter whether you can fold right over and touch your nose to your knee or can only bend a quarter of an inch from vertical. If you feel a stretch at the back of your thigh, you're doing it right! Hold for 4 or 5 deep breaths and imagine the breath goes directly to the area where you feel the tension. Now, imagine as you exhale the breath is carrying the tension away and you can bend a micromillimeter farther forward. Repeat with legs reversed.
And thinking back to the seated twisted pose we talked about a few weeks ago I offer this link to the myth behind the quintessential twisted pose: The Lord of the Fishes or Matsyendrasana (Courtesy of www.borobudur.tv/jataka)
Finally
The Physical Benefits of Laughter...Compiled by Rev. Jon Mundy
Laughter....
- increases the heart rate thus stimulating circulation of the blood and improves stamina
- strengthens the immune system and alleviates bronchitis, asthma and allergy symptoms
- dramatically reduces high blood pressure and heart disease
- reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks
- relieves digestive disorders, back and neck aches
- bolsters the diseases fighting immune system
- suppresses the stress-related hormones in the brain
- produces hormones that release natural pain killers
- relieves and helps cure ulcers, insomnia and even cancer
- increases pain tolerance - both physical and psychological
- burns up to 400 calories per hour
- works the diaphragm and the abdominal walls (and how many of us need to do work on our abdominal walls!)
The Psychological Benefits of Laughter...
- Humor is disarming
- It is a powerful antidote to stress and provides instant relaxation
- It reduces depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders
- It opens up lines of communication thus building trust and rapport
- It relieves pressure by providing a safety valve for the release of pain and emotions
- It stimulates problem solving and provides a release for tension
- It gently nudges the ego asides and can stop overburdening seriousness
- It creates positive morale. It can even stop hostility and anger
- Women find men who can make them laugh more attractive
- Bonding is easier with people with a good sense of humor
From a talk by Rev. Jon Mundy http://www.miraclesmagazine.org