# 30 - Names DO Matter

Much as classroom yoga is intended to improve listening skills as we keep our eyes shut in an attempt to internalize our practice, until we are familiar with the instructor’s “mistakes”, it is a good idea to keep our eyes open and watch the demo (I believe this is called "visual capture"). This is an age where the word yoga has taken a ubiquitous entity of its own (referring to pranam asana as tadasana, or tuladandasana as virabhadra III…). John Jacob Jr. or George the V, I understand; virabhadra I, II, III, or surya namaskara A, B, C I do not. Imaginative as the names sound, let us choose to research various postures before going to class, so that when the instructor mentions one name but demonstrates another, at least we would have tried to keep up.

# 29 - If It’s In Our Genes

Since it is possible to delay eight common ailments in under 20 minutes with 48 Plus, let us stay ahead by putting off everyday ailments that may reside in our genes. Let us Stay Fit for Life naturally, with this simple, safe, low impact, structured stretch sequence, designed for busy adults with limited resources. This daily master health check up not only acts as a bridge for when we cannot go to fitness class, the resulting good health raises energy levels and lowers insurance premiums. It also helps improve staff morale and cuts down absenteeism at work. Everybody wins. For once, putting it off can actually mean staying ahead.

# 28 - Group Practice Guidelines

Back in the studio, some simple group practice guidelines include – not stepping on each other’s mats, coming to class ten minutes early, silent deep breathing, and introverting before class begins. Learn to zone out fire engine and police sirens, as we would zone out negative thoughts. In a classroom, do as the instructor says, not as s/he does – the mirror method does not work for everyone. If the music is loud, ask to keep it down – jarring music drains us most during balance postures. Repetitions are for gyms – during yoga practice, a slow, deliberate motion that corresponds with your breath is most effective. Coordinating movement with breath helps maintain the natural rhythm of harmony in our body.

# 27 - Staying Vegetarian

The human body is designed to stay vegetarian – our nails are not long enough to tear open animal hides; we do not have naturally sharp front teeth to tear meat; our mouth has alkaline saliva with an enzyme called ptyalin to pre-digest grains; stomach acids in humans are too weak to digest meat properly; and our intestines are far too long to allow early detoxing upon eating meat. It is not crucial to turn vegetarian in order to stay flexible; just being aware of the difference is yogic enough.

# 26 - Nature Foods

Fruits and vegetables that retain color and crunch offer highest food value, and are best assimilated within an empty stomach. Be aware that different fresh foods may release different enzymes, so eating them separately whenever possible prevents undue strain on the digestive system. To make the most of healing properties, nature foods should be consumed within the hour of cutting them open. Since most fruits (including acidic ones) turn alkaline when they enter the body, their nutrient value is immediately absorbed into the system, as long as there is no traffic jam of unhealthy remnants blocking the system.

# 25 - Food Heals

Occasional fruit fasts and salad fests insulate the body from harmful excesses that weaken the immune system, while giving our digestive system a well needed break. Although pulps, purees, and smoothies without ice are more healthful than pulp free juices, it is a proven fact that steamed, baked, and poached foods are also nutritious. But foods that are processed, frozen, refined, or cooked in any way using direct heat tend to lower nutritional content. In addition, not only do fresh foods look, smell, and taste better, they also bring a healthful glow to our face, monitor body weight, and raise energy levels.

# 24 - When Good Food Tastes Bad

Basic physical fitness is not just about stretching. It involves a healthful diet that includes nature foods to help prevent/ delay/ deter/ heal common ailments. A combination of simple, ailment specific stretches peppered with a basic fresh food diet can become an unbeatable combination when it comes to fighting back everyday illnesses. Beans for arthritis, spinach for asthma, bananas for constipation, bitter gourd for diabetes, apples for hypertension, carrots for lumbago, papayas for piles (hemorrhoids), and tomatoes for sciatica are just a few examples of healing foods. But foods that are good for our body may not always taste good to us. Therein lies the paradox. It is up to us to take good foods often enough, so that they will eventually start to taste good simply because we start feeling better.