Time to Heal

Sustaining injuries at some point or other is a fairly normal occurrence when practicing yoga, especially if your practice is strong. It helps to know when to carry on practicing and when to take a healing break. Here are some ideas for when you’ve decided to take a step back that will get you back on the mat as soon as possible. 

Helpful foods for maintaining a healthy body

• • • Pineapple and garlic both have anti-inflammatory properties and help the body heal from inflammation internally.
    • Fresh fruit helps absorb the body absorb the helpful mineral MSM (see below).
    • Dark, leafy greens, like kale, beet and mustard greens, arugula, baby salad mix, etc.
    • Sprouts
    • Raw vegetable juices or blends: I like to blend my veggies so I keep the fiber and have no waste. They become more like thick soups. I use whatever is around. You can play and use any of the ingredients below, no rule!

Ingredient ideas for smoothies

• • • Dark, leafy greens
    • Celery (great due to its high water content)
    • A quarter beet (the juice becomes bright red)
    • A small piece of daikon radish
    • A small carrot (not always as it is very sweet)
    • Herbs, if available, (parsley, cilantro), great for cleansing
    • Fresh ginger
    • Apple juice to get the blender going (mix in water if needed)
    • A pinch of salt
    • A clove of garlic

Supplements

3 grams MSM with 500 mg Vitamin C and lots of water.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) MSM originates in the ocean but is extracted from the lignin of pine trees. Good quality MSM is indistinguishable from the MSM found in broccoli, peppers, Brussels sprouts, onions, asparagus, cabbage, and mother’s milk. MSM acts as a powerful antioxidant and healing source of natural sulfur. Don’t I get enough from food? Yoga students tend to put a great deal of stress on their muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments; and sulfur (MSM), is an essential mineral for promoting elasticity, strength, and the general health of our bodies’ tissues. You can often find MSM sold together in joint formulas, or as a therapy for hair, nails and skin. This is because MSM helps repair every cell of our body. 

Healing tea

• • 1/2 tsp Moringa
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • Pinch black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp MSM crystals
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp Lemon zest
  • 1 tsp honey – optional

Boil some water and pour it over all ingredients apart from the lemon juice. Allow to brew for 3 minutes, then add the lemon juice. Drink to your health!