|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kareen's Yoga by Kareen Zebroff
es, dear traveller, there is a difference. One is the stressful process
of travel and the other is a relaxing constant with yoga. Imagine
the following scenarios.
Golden fingers of sunlight painting hill and dale with bold strokes
of pink and lavender as you "salute the sun" in 12 sensuous
undulating movements that express your feelings of unity with nature
and profound gratitude for this illuminating moment. That’s
holidaying.
Cramped positions in narrow economy class seats. Their edges knifing
into thighs and cutting off circulation, hips being bruised by inflexible
arm rests, calves cramping, feet and arms falling asleep, screaming
muscles in neck and shoulder preventing little cat naps, while cold
blasts of germ-ridden, recycled air are assaulting the ears and sailing
into the lungs unimpeded. That’s travel.
The frustration of it, the boredom and the fear of coughing people
spreading SARS or other dreaded bacteria and viruses are all around
you. Just as worrying, however, should be the threat of deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot in the lungs, which can kill anyone
of any age within two weeks.
Dr. W. Spangehl, in his highly informative foreword to my yoga book,
How to Prevent DVT While Travelling (in German only so far), explains
that blood clots are more likely to occur in smokers; women who take
birth control pills or who have just given birth; anyone who has recently
had an operation; and those who have been bedridden, or inactive,
for several weeks.
He recommends a low-dose aspirin (unless allergic), adequate water
intake before the flight, plenty of bottled water during it and abstention
from alcohol, coffee or colas as these act as diuretics that are dehydrating.
A thick, sluggish blood flow facilitates the formation of blood clots
and it is wise to watch out for such dehydration symptoms as itchy
eyes, dry skin / lips / throat and too little, deep-yellow urine.
Consult a doctor before any long trip (in a plane, car, bus or train),
if you are a smoker, considerably overweight, or older than 65; if
you have a genetic history of embolism or blood-clots; if you have
leg pain or swelling, prominent and/or painful varicose veins, diabetes,
high blood pressure, or a history of stroke; and, if you have lately
experienced any shortness of breath, coughing, or chest discomfort.
For preventative purposes, the good doctor advises the intake of vitamin
E, gingko biloba, flaxseed oil and ginger, as well as the use of preventative
homeopathic remedies such as apis mellifica, vipera kali muriaticum,
natrum sulphuricum, rhus toxicodendrum, or argentum nitricum (for
flight phobia, stomach cramps or diarrhea).
During travel, he recommends doing yoga poses for better circulation,
yoga breaths for lowering blood pressure and the heart rate, and yoga
meditation for calming the mind. Be creative by adapting regular yoga
poses into partially isometric ones. Use your seat to do back and
head presses, pretend stand ups, twisting, or walking in place.
It is an absolute imperative, however, that you practise some sort
of calf pump action every hour and intensely stretch and flex the
legs often, but never cross them.
Effective yoga poses in your seat include ankle bends, toe stretches,
aswini mudra, sitting chest expander, camel (kneeling in front of
your seat), sitting side stretch, mountain, arm lift, modified neck
rolls, eye exercises, shoulder shrugs, finger exercises, the blade,
posture clasp, sitting abdominal lift, sitting sponge and the alternate
nostril breath for relaxation.
Other well-researched recommendations include getting up frequently
to walk up and down the aisle; "pretend walking" while standing
about; loose, natural clothing without tight belts or waistbands;
one size larger than normal shoes for swelling feet; support hose
or men’s supportive knee socks from medical supply stores; facemasks;
moistening the inside of the nose with olive, flax or jojoba oil to
prevent the formation of small fissures through which bacteria can
enter; splashing the face with rose water instead of the hot facecloths
that may contain more germs than they remove; using a neck support
cushion; pre-ordering healthy food such as vegetarian or kosher and,
immediately contacting flight-personnel if experiencing sharp pains
in the calves, or upon exhalation.
Before, during and after a flight, use melatonin or homeopathic remedies
against jet lag, keep up the high fluid intake for at least another
day after arrival, and make a point of consciously practising yoga
deep breathing in pure air for several more days. Then enjoy your
holiday in sunny places where beguiling flower fragrances waft through
the morning air, blissful birds exalt with enchanting melodies, tiny
hummingbirds hover mid-air as they dip into enfolding blooms, refreshing
breezes caress the skin like a velvet glove and voluptuous fruit drips
its exotic elixir into your parched, waiting mouth. Sorry, just meditating.
Find author, lecturer and yogini Kareen at kareenzebroff.com
 Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
