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Flexible Hands

• Sit cross legged on a pillow that is high enough so you knees are below you belly button.
• If this is not possible then sit on a firm chair with your feet uncrossed on the floor and your back straight, not resting on the seat back.
• Put your hands together in a prayer pose then point your fingers always from you as you press the creases of your wrists into the center of your chest.
• Keep your palms together, spread your fingers and stretch them so they do not touch.
• Check that your elbows are out to the sides, your shoulders down, your belly relaxed.
• Breathe softly through your nose and mouth.
• Hold this posture for 3 minutes.
• Your palms will gradually feel warm.
• Gradually release the tension.

Hooping is Back

Have you seen the slender waist and sensually flexible spine of the goddesses carved in Indian temples. These vibrant figures were maintained by sacred dance that induced a state of pure joy. Though we may be fascinated, many of us no longer have the opportunity to learn such dance forms but it does not mean their benefits have to be denied to us because much of the same movement can be practiced by hooping.

The origin of exercising with hoops is unknown, but children around the world have played with hoops, twirling, rolling and throwing them throughout history. Before we had the plastic hoops that were popular in the fifties, hoops were made of grapevine, bamboo, wood, metal or stiff grasses. They were used by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and even the English as long ago as the 14th century. In 1957 the hula hoop was reinvented by Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Medlin, founders of the Wham-O toy company. The idea came from an Australian who had visited California and told Knerr and Melin about children twirling bamboo hoops around the waist in gym class. Today the fun of this exercise form is being renewed with acupressure hoops, heavier plastic hoops with little projections on the inside for extra stimulation. So whether you have to make a hoop out of willow or order up the latest plastic wonder online, get out there and start some hoopla. It is fun, the results are fast and it has multitude of benefits which include –

• Burning as many calories as aerobics or running without possibly hurting your knee and hip joints – and having twice as much fun!
• Reshaping your waist
• Building power in your core and abdomen
• Relieving back pain and strain
• Relieving neck tension
• Getting your heart pumping and building cardio vascular fitness
• Increasing overall stamina
• Improving both digestion and elimination
• Feeling the joy of movement – it is great to do to music or even the morning news!
• Having fun and being playful
• Increasing self-confidence
• Better rhythm and dance abilities
• Improving flexibility and strength

How much and how often:

Start with ten minutes when you can and build up to twenty minutes twice a day. Drink a glass of water before and after exercise. This month imagine yourself a modern day temple goddess and try hooping your way to a more beautiful, fun filled you.