Our Second Integrative Newsletter
As the next few months transition us from summer into winter, we “fall” into a new season of change. The leaves are turning resplendent shades of gold, red, yellow and orange and they are gently blowing as they spiral down and across the lawns in the brisk, cool fall wind.
Skin is becoming dryer, activity slows down, and the everyday responsibilities of life pile up as we move inside to prepare for hibernation. In the yoga world, this is known as a Vata season – windy, cool and dry. Health calendars across the US reflect this notion with themed months (i.e. “national yoga month,” “healthy aging month,” “national cholesterol month,” “cancer awareness month,” etc.). To keep in line with these themes, we are dedicating this issue to women’s health.
In this issue, we offer you tips on how to stay healthy, vibrant, active, yet grounded and balanced!
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7 Steps to Prevent Sports Injuries
- Start slow: Increase your mileage or time of exercise slowly.
- Move every day: Moderate amount of daily exercise reduces risk of injury.
- Warm up & cool down: Perform a few large muscle exercises (i.e. legs) to warm up the body then stretching afterwards to reduce muscle tightness.
- Control your weight: An ideal body weight reduces stress on major lower body joints.
- Balance activities: cross-train! Don’t do one activity all the time – add variety.
- Use proper equipment: Shoes, protective gear (i.e. bike helmet), gym equipment that “fits” your body, etc.
- Listen to your body: Pain is not something to be overcome. It is a sign from your body that you need to slow down and rest.
*Adapted from "National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health"