How to Thrive with Alternative Health Practices
If you are seeking relief from conditions such as stress, depression or high blood pressure, there are alternative health options which can help. While investing in private yoga lessons or attending restorative retreats are great options to start, other self-care practices are available to complement your healing journey.
Most therapies require a commitment that’s easy to make once you experience the difference the following preventative practices can make on your outlook, wellbeing and overall health.
Yoga
Yoga is a mind and body practice that uses breath control and physical poses to still the mind, attain higher consciousness and balance the body. While its origins are unknown, it is believed to be at least 5000 years old, and likely from India.
While there are various styles of yoga, most combine breathing techniques with meditation and physical posturing in a relaxing environment. Sessions are normally performed with an instructor known as a yogi if male, or yogini if female, who lead either group or individual yoga sessions.
Not only can yoga help reduce stress, improve wellbeing and lower blood pressure, most types also help improve flexibility, help with breath control and even support health and fitness before and after childbirth. Altogether, yoga can both improve your body’s stress response for better health and wellbeing, as well as reduce your risk of physical injury through improved balance and flexibility. (1)
Sound healing
Used for centuries by Tibetan monks and Australian aborigines, sound healing employs sound and vibration to induce relaxation, reduce anxiety, help with insomnia and lower blood pressure. It is commonly performed using instruments called Tibetan Singing Bowls, with the power of sound healing being generated through their vibrations. Also known as Himalayan bowls, they are made of special alloys and played using a wooden or leather-wrapped mallet which is rubbed around the rim of the bowl in much the same manner as one would make a wine glass “sing” by rubbing a finger around its rim.
The sound produces a calming effect which not only helps on an emotional and spiritual level, but on a physical one. This is because as tensions are released during sessions, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rates are lowered. This helps improve blood circulation, reduces risk of heart disease, and helps reduce the risk of other chronic diseases associated with high blood pressure, insomnia and poor mental wellbeing. (3, 4)
Aromatherapy
Essential oils, for aromatherapy, are commonly used topically as a massage or inhaled as a fragrance.
With aromatherapy, fragrances linked to deep parts of your brain are used to induce calmness and other positive psychological effects related to mood and stress. To do this, essential oils or other aromatic compounds are used in a relaxing setting, and often as a compliment to other therapies such as yoga, sound healing or massage.
Along with helping reduce the effects of stress, aromatherapy may also help:
Self-care
Often mistaken for self-improvement, self-care is a means of “allowing yourself to have a nurturing experience of life right now as opposed to when you work harder in the future,” according to health-care coach Gracy Obuchowicz. It is also meant to leave you feeling good upon waking in the morning rather than “numbed,” such as after overeating or enjoying too much wine.
For instance, if a numbing activity is staying up too late watching television, self-care would entail turning off the television in favor of a relaxing activity followed by plenty of deep, rejuvenating sleep.
Other means of self-care include practicing tai chi, yoga, sound healing therapy or other stress-relieving activities that help improve your physical and emotional wellbeing. (6)
A Commitment to Health
For reduced stress, lower blood pressure and improved overall health, these therapies are not only effective, but also relaxing, enjoyable and easy to commit to.
Private Yoga and Private Sound Healing Sessions
At SolFreshLife, our whole focus is providing one-on-one, personalized yoga and sound healing sessions that cater to your individual needs. The session can be held at our studio or your home or office, and planned around your schedule. We serve the following communities: Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Downtown Miami, and Key Biscayne.
Emily Basford has 500 hours of yoga training from the Association of Yoga & Meditation, is an Ayurveda Specialist, a Holistic Health Coach, and a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Contact Emily today to get all the healing benefits from an individual yoga or sound healing session.