Your Life-Your Choice ISSN 1488-0253 June, 2001 Issue 74 Letter From the Editor Many women increase their calcium intake, unaware that the body also requires magnesium. The body keeps the two minerals in balance, therefore increasing one without increasing the other really does not have any real benefit as the body simply disposes of the excess. Optimally one should consume 1,000 milligrams of each per day. However, your intake should increase with age. After menopause the recommended daily allowance is 1,500 milligrams. Remembering always to have that balancing component. McMaster University researchers have recently reported the importance of pregnant women increasing their calcium intake to 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day. The results of their study indicated that this could reduce the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre- eclampsia; two of the highest levels of concern in pregnancies, by 70% and 60% respectively. "60-70 percent of American women are magnesium deficient." Says Barbara from the Cornell Medical Center. "For women who take calcium supplements and eat a calcium-rich diet, it's probably a good idea to take magnesium and eat magnesium-rich foods, too." Some caution should be taken to ensure that the calcium magnesium levels don't get too high. Elevated levels may lead to diarrhea. Whole grain breads, fortified cereals, leafy vegetables, kale, broccoli, tofu, soybeans, low fat chees, milk and yogurt are good choices when trying to achieve a proper balance. In addition to maintaining healthy teeth and bones, calcium has a number of other functions. Blood coagulation, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and relaxation, normal heart beat, stimulation of hormone secretion, and activation of enzyme reactions all require certain amounts of calcium. The bones in the human body incorporate calcium into their structure and, like all tissues in the body, are continually being reabsorbed and reformed. Until next time... the best of health to you, Brigitte Synesael Editor of Your Life-Your Choice Make it your business to be informed! No one cares more about you than YOU. http://www.Life-Choices.com =========================================== ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE: 1. Rolfing - The whole body approach to wellbeing 2. Tea Tips - Tea Bags or Tea Leaves? 3. Anti-Oxidants Galore! *** Please rate this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder. http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra20413.rate =========================================== Section 1 Rolfing - The whole body approach to wellbeing By Megan Arnel- Certified Rolfing Practitioner meganarnel@hotmail.com What is Rolfing ? Rolfing is the nickname given to a form of body work and movement education pioneered from the work of Dr. Ida Rolf. She called it 'structural integration', which is a process of realigning the body through soft tissue manipulation. Through ageing, gravity, emotional stress, previous injuries and poor posture our bodies can become out of balance. This can translate in our posture as loss of energy, decrease in flexibility, backache, headache and general aches and pains. After balancing the body through Rolfing it enables us to function at a much higher level of efficiency and ease. People who have experienced Rolfing often report a feeling of lightness, fluidity, increased breathing capacity, more energy and elimination of chronic pain. Structural Integration is a system that induces change toward an ordered pattern. It aims to balance the myofascial relationships within the body. When the body becomes more aligned through Rolfing, the posture can become taller, straighter and free from chronic pain. A body that is more balanced and aligned with gravity, the lower its entropy and the greater its energy content. Rolfers believe that we need to look at and address the body as a whole rather than separate parts. How does Rolfing work? Fascia or connective tissue completely surrounds every joint, muscle , bone and organ and it gives shape and strength to our body. Hardened or shortened areas in this fascial web are caused by repeated patterns of use such as the way we walk, sit, stand or sleep as well as deep seated emotional patterns. In healthy fascia its smooth coating permits neighbouring structures to slide over one another. However, following inflammatory illnesses or traumatic illness, poor posture or emotional stress, layers adhere to one another and become 'glued' together. They will no longer slide and work as they should, making the body work a lot harder to function contributing to weariness and tension. Imbalances in the fascia occur where the stress is greatest, negatively affecting our body's shape and movement patterns. Our shoulders can become more rounded, our necks too far forward, rotations and twists in our pelvis and torso or slumping in our posture. You may begin to feel less flexible and less able to move freely as you once did. Pain is often the result. Rolfing works to release these holding patterns and to restore movement and alignment. Who benefits from Rolfing? People come to Rolfing for many different reasons, some seek relief from chronic pain and stiffness, others want a better performance from their bodies in sport, yoga, dance or meditation. Many desire a better posture and being able to sit up straight and walk tall without much physical effort and strain. Some clients may seek more flexibility , mobility and a better understanding of their posture and body through awareness. Still others come to Rolfing to grow emotionally and to reach their fullest potential. People from all walks of life and all ages come to experience Rolfing integration for both physical relief and to improve their performance in their daily lives, professions and activities. The Rolfing session After a thorough evaluation of the clients structure and movement patterns, the Rolfer uses his or her hands to gently loosen and lengthen fascial sheaths surrounding specific muscles and joints. Health is restored to over worked tissues as the body becomes more organised in the vertical line and no longer strains to keep itself upright within gravity. The Rolfing process is one of exploration, awareness, education and change. Clients are encouraged to participate in their own healing process by accessing their bodies inner memory of what it is to be aligned and balanced. How does Rolfing feel? Sensations in the area being worked on vary from pleasurable warmth to momentary discomfort. How you will feel during the Rolfing session depends on several factors such as injuries to the area, or tension caused by chronic stress. Chronic pain often disappears immediately after the session or soon after the series. The Rolfing practitioner will work with you and your level of comfort to achieve the best results. The Rolfing Series Rolfing is typically applied in an initial series of ten sessions. Sessions are scheduled anywhere between one week and three weeks apart and each session is one and a half hours duration. Each session does have specific goals to achieve, however Rolfing is a very personal process and as no two people are alike sessions will vary slightly for differing individuals and needs. The results of Rolfing are cumulative and lasting, each session builds upon the last session to align the entire body and to get the best results that are lasting. Often photographs taken many years after the initial ten sessions still show that changes made during Rolfing are lasting and that the structure has improved even moreover time. Follow up work may consist of occasional tune up sessions. ----- Megan Arnel is a Certified Rolfing Practitioner with a practise in Melbourne, Australia. If you have any further questions on Rolfing or you would like to try a session please call her on (03) 9593-6098 or e-mail meganarnel@hotmail.com ********************************************* Our sponsors make this newsletter FREE to subscribers. Please take a moment to visit them. ********************************************* Finally! Natural answers to why you haven't been able to LOSE WEIGHT, and practical solutions so YOU CAN. Author Brigitte Synesael shares sensible solutions in the ebook "You Have Nothing to Lose But Pounds - Weight Loss Mysteries Revealed!" Receive 3 Free gifts with your purchase. http://www.diets-dont-work.com?ylyc ********************************************* Awaken your creativity. Eliminate mental fatigue. Relieve tension. Our pure essential oils address your lifestyle needs through therapeutic aromatherapy. We manufacture the purest aromatherapy body care products available. Our products are made with uncompromising quality, using the highest grade therapeutic essential oils from around the world. Our products do not contain mineral oil, artificial coal tar dyes, or synthetic scents. Adorn the goddess within, and create a euphoric effect on the soul. http://life-choices.com/cj/spa.html *************************************** Section 2 Tea Bags or Tea Leaves? When shopping for tea many of us wonder which has the best taste and benefits, tea bags? or tea leaves? Tea leaves have been used and enjoyed for centuries, their benefits and taste are wonderful, then in the 1900s, a gentleman made up tea bags as a free promotion to sell his tea, a huge success story. In the tea business, the bags contain what they call "tea dust' or "fannings", the taste is lost by inferior quality leaves, the benefits to health is diminished. The answer then, is to buy tea leaves to get the best flavour and health benefits, black tea, green tea, herbal tea, the list is endless, a tea lovers delight. Remember to store your precious leaves in a cool dry place, not in your fridge or freezer, and enjoy. --- Sources: http://www.life-choices.com/cj/tea.html ***************************************** Our sponsors make this newsletter FREE to subscribers. Please take a moment to visit them. ***************************************** You Can Have Safe, Natural & Rapid Relief Without Side Effects from Asthma & Allergies Do you want: - rapid & complete freedom from asthma & allergy symptoms? - to enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle again? - a safe, natural asthma treatment without dangerous side effects? - to help your child or other loved ones who are suffering? - to save your money instead of wasting it on ineffective treatments? - 100% unconditional guarantee? Click here for more information: http://hop.clickbank.net/?lifechoice/infoshare *************************************** The NutriCounter can help you to lose weight quickly, moderately, or slowly and be able to stay with it literally forever. You will look great, feel great, and be healthier than ever! And you will still be eating the foods you love! You WILL get the results you are looking for. Guaranteed or your money back - no questions asked. http://life-choices.com/cj/nutricounter.html *************************************** Section 3 Anti-Oxidants Galore! by Dr. John Maher drjmaher@cts.com http://www.RxforWellness.com Natural sources of antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E and beta carotene, are some of your best defenses against coronary-pulmonary aging. Choose from these foods when eating at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables, better yet 9 servings: Vitamin C: red pepper, brussels sprouts, papaya, orange, chestnuts, butternut squash, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe, kale, pink grapefruit, sweet potato, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. {The latter 3 also help the liver detoxify poisons and "bad" estrogens (16-hydroxyestrone) that promote breast, colon, cervical and prostate cancer.} Vitamin E: almonds, spinach, parsnips, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, asparagus, sweet potato, wheat germ, brussels sprouts, peanuts, pecans. Beta carotene: carrot, butternut squash, cantaloupe, sweet potato, kale, watercress, apricot, red pepper, turnip greens, mango. A good rule of thumb: eat from the fruit and vegetable "color palette" each day and include red, green, orange, and yellow. By the way, eating lots of anti-oxidants keeps your lungs strong. The proof? According to a 3/14/98 article in the FASEB Journal, people who ate the most antioxidants were able to exhale almost 1/2 cup more air in 1 second than people who ate much less. The ability to inhale and exhale volumes of air is called "Vital Capacity" and is perhaps the best physical exam indicator of life expectancy!** And need I remind you that lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer? AND 18% of VICTIMS NEVER SMOKED! So eat your 9 servings of a rainbow variety of fruits, seeds, nuts and vegetables. Then take a professional quality multi-vitamin/mineral with at least 1000mg Vit C, 100 IU Vit E, and 15,000 units of mixed carotenoids (not just beta-carotene), and 200mcg of selenium. As iron is a pro-oxidant, it should not be included usually except in the anemic, childrens formulas and for menstrating or pregnant females*. Pregnant females and those desiring or even "at risk" for pregnancy should limit Vit A supplementation to less than 5,000 units a day. ----- Read about Dr. Maher on our Meet the Team page; http://www.Life-Choices.com/team.html //////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Disclaimer All material appearing in this newsletter is provided for educational purposes only. It is provided with the understanding that authors and contributors are not offering medical advice or services. We strongly encourage you to consult with your own physician regarding any recommendations with respect to your own medical condition. Advertisement in the Your Life- Your Choice newsletter does not indicate endorsement on our part. 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