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KAREEN'S YOGA by Kareen Zebroff
It is a truth universally acknowledged that one knows more at age 63 than at 40, 50 or even 60.
I was not surprised, therefore, when a pregnant young mother of three, having recognized me by my voice at a health fair as that “yoga-lady” her mom used to watch on television, eagerly asked me for hints from my own life and daily routine.
Being a somewhat didactic Scorpio (who’s working on that), and loving to mentor, I delighted in burbling forth some of my secrets right away, with the proviso that I can of course be just as weak willed as anyone else. To her credit, the young mother soaked up every bon mot but soon despaired of remembering it all and adjured me to write it down. Herewith, then, my daily round.
Sleep. I’ve always liked my sleep, but do enjoy getting up earlier these aging days, especially since sleep experts now say that a bit less sleep is better than too much. Seven-and-a-half hours, plus whatever time it takes you habitually to fall asleep, seems ideal. Apparently, we awaken up to 28 times a night, but don’t remember it if the interval is less than three minutes. The secret is not to fret and you will still get 70 percent of the resting qualities of sleep. The homeopathic Rescue Remedy drops, and the acupuncture-derived tapping techniques of EPI (energy psychology interactive) or EFT (emotional freedom technique), mentioned in an earlier column, are also effective.
Breakfast. It appears that human beings are more ritualistic about their breakfasts than about any other meal. But, it is a great mistake not to have any breakfast at all, for your blood sugar will be at its lowest point. Because of all the energy demands made upon you from early morning on, it is important to “break your fast” as soon as possible with good food that includes protein; and, because the heart needs the fluids to thin down sluggish circulation caused by thick blood.
Breakfasts in our home include an organic egg and a riot of deeply coloured stir-fried vegetables (or quinoa in winter) for me, and whole-grain breads with cheese and homemade freezer jam for my husband. Both of us have a cup or two of organic coffee, but during the day we drink either green tea or a coffee-substitute made of roasted barley, rye, chicory and beet roots. As a break, I love to have this last with organic milk and stevia - a sweet, herbal extract that has no calories.
Early morning exercise. We gently do only a few standing yoga stretches before boogieing along the seawall for about 4 kms, rain or shine for 27 years now, while part-time humming the holy meditative a-u-m sound. But, because the body gets accustomed to routine, it also needs to be shocked into working harder by spurting during our walk; by playing early-morning singles tennis, walking up seven flights of stairs several times a day, and taking longish bike rides; or, in the summer, by swimming in the ocean for half an hour, or in a 137 m. long outdoor pool for six to eight lengths. An old Jane Fonda low-impact aerobics tape is next for 30 minutes every second day, alternated with the two to five most important activities on the exercise machine. A hottish shower follows, and only after that do we feel warmed-up enough to practise, for up to 20 minutes, the rest of the various yoga poses each of our older bodies would most like to avoid such as the posture clasp.
Mid-morning health drink. Joie de vivre is an expression of health, and our energy went up hugely within three months of starting a delicious drink of my own devising, because we simply hadn’t been taking all of our vitamins regularly enough in pill form.
To a base of blueberries (or any fruit) is added one scoop of a good whey protein (two if the drink is also a lunch substitute); one heaped teaspoon of spirulina or green stuff; 2 tablespoons of a good oil blend containing Omega 3, 6 and 9 (which I also put on my face); lecithin; a scoop of powdered vitamins and minerals; 2 teaspoons liquid calcium with magnesium and vitamin D; vitamin E from a capsule; 2 drops of oregano oil; powdered digestive enzymes (with bromelain for muscular aches, pains or sprains); ground apricot kernels or papaya pips; and juice or 1 percent milk.
Lunch. Since I work from home, I love making my own quick vegetable soup from fried-in-olive-oil onions and garlic, cabbage-types, beets and greens, carrots, peppers, fresh ginger, turmeric, hot peppers, Dr. Bragg’s enzyme-flavouring, lots of vegetable-broth made from bouillon-cubes, and either barley, lentils, black beans, brown rice or unpeeled potatoes.
Nearly all the food we eat is organic nowadays. My father, siblings, children and I all seem to have become more and more sensitive, over the years - with distressing symptoms of indigestion - to anything that has been chemically sprayed. (to be continued)
Kareen Zebroff’s classic ABC of Yoga book and video, as well as her Yoga Over 40/50/60 video can be ordered through her website. www.kareenzebroff.com
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