Betsy Opyt - Grain Brains
From Breath to Body- How Food and Flows Help You Let it Go!
The common misconception behind yoga is that you have to be flexible to do yoga. That is further from the truth! Yoga is so much more than bending your body in a contortionist way! Yoga means “yoking” which is bringing something together. Connecting your body with your breath, your mind with your body, your spirit with your soul, it is yoking the whole systems of the body together to become more harmonious. Moving your body in and out of asanas facilitates movement in cardiovascular, respiratory, and lymphatic system to help detox the body and cleanse the mind. The lymphatic system plays an integral role in the immune functions of the body and is your first line of defense. Our bodies are meant to be resilient, it is our traditional lifestyles that get in the way. Yoga is known to prevent disease, make you more mindful, and provide you with the tools for longevity living.
Yoga does everything from improving digestion, balancing neurotransmitters, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugars, improving circulation, and improving your mood just to name a few things. One of the most important things yoga improves is the lymphatic system. This system plays a dramatic role in the immune functions of the body and is our first line of defense against disease. We have to manually pump the lymph through our system through movement and
the flow determines our immune response. Think of the lymph as the sewage system of the body, helping to rid of toxins, pathogens, and waste from the cells. If you sit all day and get little movement the lymph stays stagnant and collects this waste causing a buildup and lowering of your immunity. Lymph not only helps kill pathogens like bacteria and viruses and create white blood cells, but it helps facilitate the absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients in the digestive system. What are some symptoms of a lymphatic system that is unbalanced? You can see inflammation in the joints, nutrient deficiencies, skin conditions, digestive disorders, headaches, sinus infections, excess weight, chronic fatigue, and increase risk of injuries and infections. The flow and movement of the outside body helps the flow of the organs and detox system in the inside body. So stop thinking that yoga is only exercise when in fact is a healing workout that helps assist with vitality in all the organs.
From mat to table, how does yoga yoke your flows to your food? Just as yoga trains the mind to be more mindful and connected, it trains the body to do the same. You may find that on days you do yoga you crave healthier foods, drink more water, and make clearer eating decisions. When you do movements that help push the lymph you ramp up your digestion so you absorb nutrients better, push out bacteria and buildup in the digestive system to help eliminate bloat, and move fluids out of the tissue to reduce swelling. The most important benefits is what it does for the mind. It makes you more calm and relaxed and can really improve stress, anxiety, and mood disorders.
You don’t necessarily have to attend a yoga class to receive these benefits. Yoga can be done at home, at a desk in a chair, or even deep breathing when you are in your car. Yoga can be done anywhere, at any time, and every day! Some simple stretching or movement and deep breathing are enough to help you relax the body, move the lymph, and learn to let go so your body will flow
One admittance pass to Betsy Opyt - Peace Brain Granins for Saturday February 11th, 2023 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in the Diner Room.