Facial Reflexology to Alleviate Allergy Symptoms (Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America)

Luckily, I personally do not suffer from chronic seasonal (or any other) allergies - at least I am not aware of any- but I have had bouts of symptoms from time to time these last two years or so.   

Last week I had one of these days when I found myself having to do facial reflexology exercises at least three times during my time in the park with Mowgli.  Well, no problem; it is so easy to do it, my hands were dirty but I could use my knuckles, but it also left me wondering about Climate Change and getting older and one's body's changing needs.  This is what I think about a lot; this is work and this is my passion. 

The exercise empowered me, and helped me through the itchy eyes and sneezing, but I decided to also use the neti pot once I got home just to make sure the symptoms would not linger due to pollens being caught in my nostrils.  Kristyn of Smith and Brit Spa and Boutique had reminded me of that.  Thank you, Kristyn.  That made so much sense.  The pollens also gather on our clothes and hair. Interestingly, the ladies at Smith and Brit and I also had plans to do a video for IG the same day - sharing these wonderful exercises based on Marie-France Muller's wonderful teachings.

The weather has been something.  We have had days of summer, then it was a lot like April (in May) if you remember what April traditionally used to be  - lots of rain - which resulted in an explosion of foliage, blossoms and fragrance.  Central Park is more lush than ever, I am still not used to the many shades of green.  

It is so beautiful and so fragrant; another reason to use the neti pot.  I would not want to miss the smell of spring. 

Panicky Immune System - Global Warming/Climate Change

removing layers

It got so hot so quickly and both mornings, yesterday AND today,  I felt allergy symptoms coming on (only the third time or so in my 50+long life) during our walk in Central Park, but awarethat I have been having a bit of a cough for a while, I realized that it was my immune system getting panicky, the body's psychology, so interesting!  But the fragrance, just yum.  

- Sniffle protocol to the rescue - it takes less than a minute and it did its magic, just like Marie-France Muller noted in her book*.  Despite dirty palms from touching Mowgli, I could do it right there and then - how convenient.

Climate Change: Cleaner Cooling Options/Pleasant on the Senses

chilled herb packs

(- Still have not figured out how to fix the formatting, but this is time-sensitive, so thank you for bearing with me.)

Does anyone still believe that Climate Change is a myth?
It has been so hot in New York.  Labor Day was last weekend, but there will be more hot days.    

A while ago I found myself trenched in sweat and my hair felt like wool.  Somehow I had not been able to put it up neatly away from my head and look nice for a presentation I was doing during the day.  That has never happened before.  When your thinnish/straightish hair feels like wool, it must be very hot, no?  I was ready to take scissors and get to work but then I decided to list cool but simple ways I like to cool off and have cooled off with and to be more adventurous; 


I have mentioned these two before:

Chilled Jade rollers: Both Mowgli and I love them.

Sitali Breath is cooling, you can do try it right now.  Dogs do sitali, too, for sure.  It takes a teacher who has lived in the desert to teach this pranayama.  Thank you, Lakshmi Voelker.  I am curling my tongue right now.

---

I have used heated herb packs for chest colds, but I decided to explore using them for cooling.  I have two big packs (one for shoulders and one for the back) so I indulged in a few-minute meditation on the cooling sensations on the massage table and even added an eye pillow I stuffed with ice cubes but chilling it it is better.  Wow - a keeper for super hot days!  I did it again before I fell asleep.

The weather has been more extreme than ever, and I am getting older.  Still, air conditioners are overused in my opinion. What's the point of summer?  Heat has wonderful healing benefits (sweating detoxes) and hydrating adequately with water, eating water melon or other light and watery foods will often do the trick.  And the body conserves heat for the winter.  

chilled eyepillow

We may also lose may lose weight during the summer.  In case you drink a lot of coffee and alcohol (which are dehydrating) you may have to drink even more water.  Better yet ease up on respective consumption.   

Wearing light clothing (cotton, linen) and straw hats help. When I was in the dessert many years ago I dumped my hat in water and then wore it - amazing and nobody noticed - sitali for the head, and once the head is cool, you will be overall cooler; does not work for the office, however.

Spending less time outside midday.  Morning or evening hours, etc., are better.   

Finding shady spots (I am a shade friend) oh and slowing down because you can't have a straight thought anyway; or is it just me?  And that is so relaxing; it also means you may have less "monkeys" in your head. 

Some time near Hudson River, in a shady public space with a fountain (Lincoln Center has a very nice fountain and if there is a breeze you may even get sprayed) or Central Park or perhaps a movie, but then one should remember to bring a shawl; movie theaters are often like ice boxes.  The nearby brand new state-of-the-art library is cool but not too cool. 

Then there is foot soaking - cool water with a drop or essential oil - perhaps lavender or peppermint.

Drinking mint tea.

hair like wool

And I personally am hoping to return to the Delaware sooner or later, wade in a refreshing creek or do some cooling off in a lake.   

And of course, there are the beaches one can get to via subway, such as Coney Island or Rockaway, but bring a parasol and/or hat and light clothes to cover yourself to prevent sunburn. 

In the meantime it's a combination of the above for me, depending on what is going on.  Also slow pace urban park yoga most likely early or late.  

At night have a fan blowing air over your body, but keep it away from the face.  You do not want to wake up with a head ache or a sore neck.  


 

Keep cool.

Blessings,

B.

--

Birgit Nagele, ARCB, LVCY

Reflexology, Chair Yoga, DIY
tel: (917) 664-5792
http://ban-chi.net/

Heat Wave Specific: Sitali Breath for Extra Cooling

(Apologies for the possibly messed up formatting.
I have no idea why this has been happening on and off; if anyone knows, would you please enlighten me!  Oh perhaps my labtop needs some cooling as well... )

Ready to try Sitali or Cooling Breath?  It's yogic breath (pranayama) that cools the body.

Unfortunately, it is not taught very often. 
I have been finding it very helpful during this heatwave to breathe like it then and again.  Nobody will notice what you are doing, because remember everyone is plugged in or doing the Pokemon thing anyway.

• Curl your tongue (see photo) or
• open your lips sligthly
• and breath in through you curled tongue or pull in breath between your teeth 
• pause if available if only for a second
• exhale slowly through the nose or mouth 

The moisture of the tongue will cool your breath, and the cool breath will help you cool your body from the inside.

Oh and make sure you are well hydrated.

I hope this is helpful. 
Thank you for your visit as always. 

Blessings, 
B.