This isn’t meant to scare you, but to help you recognize the symptoms of a heart attack for a woman. Please feel free to share this with your friends and family!

Happy Heart Health Month – Liz Franklin, Yoga in Chairs

A NURSES HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCE I am an ER nurse, (day in and day out!) and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard. Please read, pay attention, and share it! Diane K. in AZ

Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction)

I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read. Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack...you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.

I had a completely unexpected heart attack at about 10:30 PM with NO prior exertion; NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, "A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up.”

A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.

After that had seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws.

AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening--we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, "Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!"

I lowered the foot rest, dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself "If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else.......but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in moment." I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics. I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.

I then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the Cardiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like "Have you taken any medications?") but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stents to hold open my right coronary artery.

I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the Paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stents.

October - The month of Breath

Each month I select a theme for my classes and include that theme in each class. For the month of October, I have chosen "breath" as the theme.

In class we have worked with Focused Breathing, to help us focus our minds on our breath and quiet the chatter of the mind. We are also working on concentrating on the breath while holding a difficult pose. When the thoughts are focused on the breath, the mind becomes quiet and the body will release into the pose with greater ease.

This week I am sharing a quote from my demonstration program with my classes. I wanted to share it with all of you as well.

"Breathe! Breath is life! Exchange of electrons. Flow of energy. Air is the primary nutrient. Survival without it is measured in minutes. It is so important that you do it without thinking.

Your breath is the voice of your spirit. It's depth, smoothness, sound, and rate reflect your mood.

If you become aware of your breath and breathe the way you do when you are calm you will become calm."

The last line is the most important one. The next time you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, just take a moment to concentrate on your breath and "breathe the way you do when you are calm". You'll be amazed by the results.

Shanti (peace), Liz

Yoga And The Good Samaritan

By Paul Jerard

What is Yoga? Many students of Yoga will easily answer, "Yoga means union." "Union of what?" you may say. Whether you believe Yoga is the union of mind, body, and spirit, or the union of your soul (jiva) with God, Yoga is a life changing method, which has improved peoples’ lives for thousands of years.

When seeking a Yoga teacher, people are confused about the qualifications. This is understandable, but some of the top qualifications a Yoga teacher should have are tolerance, integrity, and compassion. These are not physical qualities, but would you choose to spend your time learning Yoga from someone who is an unethical brute?

Many of us have heard, or read, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. If you are unfamiliar with it, you can refer to Luke 10:25-37 from the New Testament. When the man asks Jesus how to obtain eternal life, Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Basically, Jesus explains that it is essential for us to help those in need who are around us. It reminds me of the saying, “Can’t see the forest for the trees.” The path toward God is filled with challenges. Even though we may have our eyes on God, people around us need help, and helping others is the path to eternal life.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is scripture worth reading because people often forget who their neighbors are. While we are on this earth, we are all neighbors. Tolerance, integrity, and compassion are your guides toward union.

John 15:12 quotes Jesus as saying: “This is my commandment to you, to love one another as I have loved you.”

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: Yoga in Practice, and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Relieve Your Neck Pain with Yoga

By Michael Russell

Everyone gets a little stiff neck once in a while, and yoga can wipe away the pain with a few concentrated exercises. First, though, you must be certain the pain isn't related to something more serious than a simple stiff neck. Instead of yoga, see a doctor if any one of the following is true:

- You neck pain has persisted for more than three days, or it keeps coming back.

- Your neck pain is accompanied by dizziness or nausea.

- The pain seems to radiate down into your arms or legs.

- The pain began with a fall or accident.

If your stiff neck does NOT meet any of the above conditions, these simple yoga exercises can help increase your neck's flexibility and strengthen the neck muscles. By exercising you speed blood and needed nutrients to the area, easing the neck pain gradually. Try these:

Neck Stretches

Sitting cross-legged, tall and straight, and inhale eyes forward. Exhale, moving chin to chest. Repeat this breath five times, the fifth time holding chin to chest breathing three times through the nose. Inhale, raising the head to center again. This time drop your right ear to your right shoulder during the exhale. Repeat this breath five times, the fifth time holding ear to shoulder for three breaths. Repeat this sequence with the left ear to left shoulder.

Half-Circle Rolls

Drop your chin to your chest. Slowly roll it up to your right shoulder, down to center, up to the left shoulder and down to center. Repeat this three to five times. Never roll the head in a full circle, as this can cause damage.

Shoulder Hunches

Hunch your shoulders up as high as you can, then relax them completely. Repeat five to six times. Next roll your shoulders in forward circles five to six times, then backward circles five to six times. Notice how relaxed your shoulders feel. Try this quick relaxation exercise any time you feel tension building.

Chest Expander

Stand with your feet together and your fingers interlaced behind your back. Inhale while raising your hands behind your back, squeezing your shoulder blades together and tucking your tailbone under to keep from over-arching your back. Hold this position for three to four breaths, then lower your arms slowly during the next exhale.

Arm Lifts

Hold your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the ground with palms facing each other but not touching. Inhale while bringing them up next to your head. Exhale while you bring them down again. Repeat this four to eight times.

Press It

Place either palm on the back of your head. Simultaneously press the head and hand against each other for a count of ten. Move the palm to the forehead and repeat the pressing for another count of ten. Now place the right palm against the right side of your head and press head and hand together for a count of ten. Repeat with the left palm and left side of the head.

These yoga exercises are designed to relieve physical stress and related pain. The best pain relief is pain prevention, so be sure to watch your posture and set your workspace to avoid slouching.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://yoga.tips-and-gear.com/]Yoga

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The Purpose of Yoga- Getting Rid of Negative Thoughts

By Paul Jerard

Tranquility of mind is one of the main objectives within all forms of Yoga practice. It is amazing how many Yoga students, from physically challenging forms of Yoga, have not yet learned this. To practice Hatha Yoga as an exercise is a “small piece of the pie.”

Exercise is a wonderful thing, and it can help us purge negative thoughts. Yoga helps us attain our best emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical state. No exercise alone can help us attain optimum holistic health in this way. Some martial arts are close, but Yoga is the mother of all health maintenance systems, and Yoga has many more healing aspects.

The next time you dwell on a negative thought, try to be a realist, and consider the real problem. The real problem is we worry ourselves sick about the unknown. Sometimes, change causes us to worry. We anticipate the worst, and most of the time, it never happens.

Here is a strategy for the next time you fear the unknown. Make it a point to plan and prepare for the unfamiliar surroundings, which cause you anxiety. Mentally see yourself solving the problem. If you are going to spend time on a problem, you must transcend worry, and work on a solution.

Here is an example: If you have fear of public speaking, you must practice your speech. You could also go to the stage ahead of time. Most auditoriums are open well ahead of time and most maintenance crews do not mind.

This same principle is used in competitive sports. How often do you see professional players practicing hours before game time? Why do you think they are on the field so early?

“Practice makes perfect” is a very wise saying. Practice builds confidence, as well. The visiting team cannot wait to go practice on the opposing team’s home field before game time. Visiting teams are not familiar with the turf, and they will also face hostile sports fans. Even professionals have to “get the bugs out.”

If you do not have a stage or a field to practice on, you still have your mind. In Yoga meditation, you are taught to visualize. Therefore, you should visualize success. Do not approach a negative thought as a victim. Instead, look at your problems as a victor would. Forget the worries and focus on the solutions.

Some of my Yoga students have said, “But what if I fail?” In truth, no adventure in this life is a failure, unless you quit. If you never give up, you are still working on a positive outcome.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: Yoga in Practice, and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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The Purpose of Yoga - Aging Gracefully

By Paul Jerard

Most Yoga practitioners, and teachers, begin to realize the anti-aging benefits of Hatha Yoga, within a short time. However, with all of the anti-aging scams in abundance today, most Yoga teachers hesitate to utter the words “anti” and “aging” in the same sentence.

The many benefits of steady Yoga practice, to all age groups, are enhanced, when we explore the physical limits of our bodies. There are times when we surprise ourselves with what we can, and what we cannot, do.

The more experienced students usually do not take risks. They have “been there and done that.” New Yoga students are warned not to force, while they learn their physical limits.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Youth is wasted on the young?” When I first heard it, I was quite young, and the words were shouted at me by a man who was about the age of my Grandfather.

Unfortunately, I took offense because of his tone, and I did not understand his message. My reaction was silence, because of his age; he deserved respect, and I did respect him, completely.

In my mind, I thought, “I’m not wasting my youth.” I really did not understand. His whole point was lost because my mind was not open to the message, and he did not explain it in depth.

Ten years passed, and I heard the words again from a mentor, and friend, named, Harry, but his tone was one of equanimity. He explained the words from an older person’s point of view. When we reach middle age, most of us stop taking risks. These prospective risks can be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, occupational, or financial, but when we age, we tend to think, “Been there and done that.”

Most children, and young adults, will come up with new and creative ideas, but older adults want to protect them from risks. Older adults want to keep their children and grand children safe from harm. Children can learn a lot from parents, but many parents could receive a refresher course on youthful living by observing and listening to their children.

Children are not afraid to learn new skills. Children often have more than one solution to a problem because they are not “set in their ways.” We become conditioned with age to react to situations in a predictable way. We think “inside the box.”

You see - it is the attitude, within us, which most often ages first. If we never take calculated risks from middle age on, we have “played it safe” for the rest of our lives.

Now, I am not suggesting that seniors should start sky diving, surfing, and hand gliding, next week, but the in the twilight of their lives, people often regret the opportunities they did not take advantage of. The thrill of a challenge makes life worth living. A calculated risk is a “breath of fresh air.”

For example: The seniors who take Chair Yoga are the “mavericks” of their time. Most of them did not have the opportunity to receive Yoga instruction as children, but they are not afraid to participate and receive the benefits. Now, that is an inspiration to the rest of us.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995.

To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Prevention Magazine: Yoga Curbs Weight Gain

Stretching yourself thin?

by Selene Yeager


The average American adult gains a pound a year. New research suggests that yoga may help stave off that middle-age spread. A survey that tracked weight gain in 15,500 adults from age 45 to 55 revealed that the normal-weight people who practiced yoga at least 30 minutes a week for 4 of those years gained 3 fewer pounds (9.5 versus 12.6) than those who didn't.

Click here to see the rest of this Prevention Magazine article.

Prevention Magazine: Use Yoga to Stop the Clock

Slow the signs of aging and feel younger with a simple yoga regimen

Eight years ago, when Sharon Gothard Weisman turned 40, backaches, dark undereye circles, forgetfulness, and fatigue made her feel more like 60. In the hope of finding relief, Weisman took a yoga class. An hour later, she felt more relaxed than she had in years. She's been doing yoga three times a week since and says, "I have more energy, strength, and flexibility than most women half my age."She recently ran into an old high school friend who asked, "Don't you get older like the rest of us?"

Click here to see the rest of this Prevention Magazine article.

Purpose of Yoga - Reasoning With Fundamentalism

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard] Paul Jerard

Once in a while, someone will make the connection about the historical roots of Hatha Yoga and Hinduism. Statements have been made that Yoga and Hinduism are one in the same. In truth, many ashrams do cover Hindu scripture, but that is a real rarity within a Western style Yoga studio. Also, be aware that Christian ashrams also exist, so not all ashrams are the same.

To “push the envelope” further, some religious fundamentalists will say that Yoga is the “advanced scouting party” for global proliferation of Hinduism, on a massive scale. To inject a bit of American humor, from the 1960’s, these statements remind me of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, television show, when Arte Johnson would say, “Very interesting, but stupid.”

Of course, there are also countless statements that “Yoga is evil,” and Yoga is anti-this or anti-that. Let’s look at the definition of evil closely. Evil is bad, wicked, mischievous, prejudicial, vicious, hurtful, to have bad intent, and to desire pain for someone else.

That description is actually much more fitting for a religious fundamentalist. In the past, hanging, burning at the stake, drowning, and the rack, were used by religious fundamentalists to rid society of accused witches. Everyone was a suspect, and anyone that was accused, of anything, was tortured, until they confessed.

The Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of Witches), written around 1486, was a popular manual for witch hunting and torturing. Usually, women were accused because of a birth mark, living alone, to seize property, or some other excuse.

So how long was the Malleus Maleficarum used? For almost three centuries, this book was used to justify intolerance. Fundamentalists have left a legacy of hate for anyone who wants to read a history book. Beware of the holy man who condones hate, violence, crime, and killing - for he is not holy at all.

Now, getting back to Yoga - It is true that Yoga develops the entire being by enhancing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Each Yoga style will place more emphasis on one of these four aspects. Therefore, all forms of Yoga do have a degree of spiritual value. Beside this fact - there is no evil in spiritual health.

If Yoga were a religious vehicle alone, it would be the most tolerant path to God. No one is turned away from an ashram, Yoga center, or a Yoga studio because of religion, nationality, race, gender, color, age, or any other reason, to discriminate. Why? Discrimination, intolerance, and hate are morally wrong.

Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father. They know not what they do.” When a religious fundamentalist can learn to be mindful, forgive, and show loving kindness to others, outside of his or her religion, a new legacy of purpose will be created.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. [http://www.riyoga.com] http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: Yoga in Practice, and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: [http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html] http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Yoga Stress Relief

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sydney_Heiden] Sydney Heiden

Yoga is an excellent exercise for stress relief. If nothing else, the deep breathing exercises that are part and parcel of yoga will help you find stress relief. Yoga is an excellent way to tune out the troubles of the world and relax, now take a deep breath …

Technology is increasing every day. We have all these labor saving devices that help us keep in touch with the business world, cell phones, pagers, faxes, you name it, we got it. Yet with all these labor saving devices, instead of our lives getting any easier, it seems to have gotten more complicated. We no longer have the simple disconnect from work that we once had. There are even people that take their cell phone to the beach and conduct business deals while soaking up the rays. Is it any wonder that we are more stressed out than ever before.

Now more that ever, yoga exercise as a method for stress relieve makes more sense than ever. Stress, from just trying to keep pace with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, is killing us. There is more heart disease, strokes and other illness caused by stress than at any time in our history. Stress is the culprit in many health related problems from migraines to insomnia. It is a leading cause of weight gain, high blood pressure, poor digestion and other diseases. In fact, it has been said that stress is the leading cause of disease in America today.

With all the stress that the body is subjected to, it is no wonder that the nervous system of many people is completely shot, leaving us feeling depleted and overwhelmed. Yoga exercise can help relieve this stress. You concentrate on achieving the various poses, breathing deeply, and relaxing. You not only build up your strength and increase your flexibility, but equally important, you recharge your energy levels and reduce your stress levels.

Yoga is probably the best exercise method for reducing stress and improving your mental health. So, the next time you start feeling stressed out, just relax, take a deep breath and hold that pose. Your body will thank you for it.

Sydney Heiden is a practitioner of yoga and founder of [http://www.yoga.cool-home-stuff.com/] Yoga and Meditation for Beginners. For more yoga tips and information, go to her website, [http://www.Yoga.Cool-Home-Stuff.com] http://www.Yoga.Cool-Home-Stuff.com

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